Mules vs. Slaton & Friona (1-3 & 6-2017)

Mules vs. Slaton & Friona (1-3 & 6-2017)

The Mules split their games this past week. Tuesday the Mules lost to the Slaton Tigers 76-71 to drop to 0-2 in District 2-3A. But the Mules bounced back on Friday for their first district win over the Friona Chieftains 75-31. 

The Mules had a strong first half against Slaton Tuesday night scoring 20 and 23 points in the first two quarters respectively. The Mules led Slaton 43-34 at the intermission. 

The third quarter proved to me much tougher for the Mules as they only scored seven points while Slaton poured in 22 points. The Mules attempted to make a run at the Tigers in the final period but held off the Mules for the win. 

They outscored the Chiefs 24-6 and 25-9 in the first two periods. The Mules backed off the full-court press in the second half and outran the Chiefs 26-16 in the second half. 

Beto Diaz kicked off the Mules’ scoring against Slaton Tuesday evening. He had added a second hoop before the first quarter ended. Jason Florez dropped in 3-pointer and finished two fast breaks for seven points. 

Dagen Dunham put back an offensive rebound, hit a trey, made a pair of free throws and hit a baseline jumper for nine points. The game was a 20-20 tie after the first quarter. 

Tre Villa was hot from behind the arc in the second quarter and sank back-to-back 3-pointers. Florez made a charity toss, hit from the elbow, and dropped in a pair of free throws. 

Diaz put back an offensive rebound and also sank a short jumper. Dunham sank a late trey, scored from the baseline and made a free throw. Javy Perez sank a pair of free throws. The Mules had outscored Slaton 23-14 in the second quarter to lead the Tigers 43-34. 

The Mules’ scoring production dropped off in the third quarter. Dunham made two hoops and one free throw. Florez made two free throws to close out the Mules scoring. The Mules fell behind 56-50 in the third quarter. 

Florez scored nine in the final period, and Dunham dropped in 10 points. Donovan Gutierrez finished a fast break for a layup. 

Dunham led the Mules with 25 points that included three 3-pointers. He grabbed 14 rebounds, made one assist, had one steal, and blocked four shots. Florez finished with 23 points that included two treys. He grabbed 12 rebounds, made nine assists, and had one steal. 

Diaz made 13 points, all in the first three quarters. He grabbed six rebounds, made two assists, and one steal. Villa made two treys, two rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Perez chipped in two points, pulled down seven rebounds, made one assist, and one steal. Gutierrez also chipped in two points.

They dominated the Friona Chieftains in all phases of Friday night’s game. The Mules used full-court pressure to limit Friona’s offense and converted the turnovers into fast-break points. 

Dunham got the Mules off to a fast start with a 3-pointer from the baseline 18 seconds into the game. He had added three more baskets before the first quarter ended. Florez sandwiched a trey between two layups. Diaz had a pair of put-back hoops. Gutierrez and Perez each had a fast-break basket.

The Mules led Friona 24-6 after opening quarter. 

It was more of the same for the Mules in the second quarter. Dunham scored 10 points in the second period, and Florez added six. Perez made two baskets, Jesse Leal made a layup, and Diaz put back an offensive rebound. Gutierrez chipped in a free throw. The Mules led 49-15 at the intermission. 

The Mules outscored Friona 26-16 in the second half. 

Dunham scored a game-high 23 points. Florez finished with 15 points. Eric Herrera scored all 10 of his points in the second half. Diaz dropped in nine points, and Perez made eight points. Gutierrez and Leal added four points each. Romeo Reyes chipped in two points. 

The 1-2 Mules traveled to Shallowater to face the 2-1 Mustangs Tuesday night. Friday the Mules return home to host the Lubbock Roosevelt Eagles.