MUS Sports News

Mustangs Too Much for Owls

The Owls had heard about Houston guard Shon Sheffield. And after last Friday night, they can attest that everything they had heard was absolutely true.

Sheffield lit MUS up for 23 points on 10-15 shooting and added 5 rebounds and 5 assists to complete a solid evening as the Mustangs defeated the Owls 40-38 on a last-second shot by Mustang Will Younghouse.

MUS was down the whole game as they could never get any offensive momentum. Yet they never gave up. After being down by nine points at the end of the first quarter, the Owls clawed back into the game and only trailed by five at 23-18 at the half.

However, MUS just could never score. Ryan Baum continued to be the only option, and Houston knew that he was the only threat on this night. Baum did score 21 points, yet Houston was more than willing to give Baum his points as long as they could keep the other Owls in check, and they succeeded.

After several games in which the reserves played large roles, MUS got nothing out of their bench on this night as only the starters scored.

Yet with 17 seconds left, the Owls found themselves tied at 38 after a Baum basket. Houston had one final chance, and they converted as Sheffield dished to a cutting Younghouse with less than two seconds remaining to give the Mustangs the home win.

MUS (5-5) now has the next week off as they take final exams. Their next games will take place in Carbondale, Illinois, as they travel to the Holiday tournament at Southern Illinois University from December 27-29.

MUS Prepares for Break

The MUS basketball team has played three games in the last week as they prepare for exams and the Christmas hiatus.

The Owls went 2-1 in this stretch as they got two blowout wins against Catholic and FACS, sandwiched around a loss to Bishop Byrne.

In the Catholic and FACS games, everybody got ample playing time as MUS solidly led at halftime against both in route to big wins. Against the Chargers, 11 of out the 12 who played scored as Ryam Baum dumped in 17 points while Will Saxton added 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Owls outscored Catholic 36-10 in the second half as they extended their 30-21 halftime lead to take the contest 66-31. MUS shot 54% in the second stanza to take the comfortable win.

And this past Tuesday the Owls simply outmanned the overmatched Crusaders to take a 68-20 victory. Once again, Baum scored 19 points, while Spencer Bryan found his touch to deposit 14 points, including two three-pointers. MUS continued their strong second-half performances as they shot 61% in the last half and scored 44 points.

The win definitely helps soothe the sting of the game on Saturday. Bishop Byrne, who played the Owls tight in two tilts last season, came in determined and took the game to MUS. The Owls could only muster 15 first-half points and shot only 25% from the field in that half as the Red Knights claimed a 10-point advantage. Then, in the second half, MUS never found any consistent offense as Byrne spread out the Owls and used the clock wisely to claim the 50-36 win. Byrne's Justin Rushing was the game leader in points with 18, while Baum once again led MUS as he knocked in 11. Yet 29% shooting for the game doomed MUS against their more athletic, hungry competition.

This Friday night MUS travels to Houston to battle the Mustangs. With exams next week, the 5-4 Owls need a good performance to gain momentum for the region season.

Owls Complete Long Road Trip

The MUS basketball team finally completed their first extended road trip of the season as they went 1-3 against some outstanding, talented competition.

The away swing began last Tuesday at Ridgeway, where MUS lost to one of the best teams in the state. However, the Owls hoped to get back on track against some private-school competition as they traveled to Nashville over the weekend to face MBA and Father Ryan.

Friday night at MBA, MUS overcame a poor night from the field as they shot only 31% for the game to defeat the Big Red 43-40. Ryan Baum tallied 23 points and 7 rebounds to lead the Owls. Andrew Hanover also chipped in 10 points as MUS won in the back-and-forth game.

But Saturday afternoon went against the Owls. Father Ryan, who had beaten Christian Brothers by 32 the evening before, jumped on MUS early and maintained a 10-point lead for most of the game. The Owls tried to inch back throughout, yet foul trouble plagued MUS for most of the game as they had 2 players foul out. Baum's 20 points led the Owls, and Will Saxton's 8 rebounds paced MUS on the boards. Yet Billy May's 21 points and SeSean Bridges' 15 points and 12 rebounds were too much for the Owls to overcome.

MUS tried to rebound this past Tuesday, but their opponent was not very receptive. The Owls traveled to Bartlett, home of the defending AAA state champions. MUS hung close early, yet the Panthers' pressure man-to-man and a solid game by standout Adrian Jones lifted Bartlett to the 51-37 win.

The Owls just had difficulty scoring as Bartlett did not give up many easy looks. Baum again led the team as he had 12 points and 6 rebounds. Andrew Hanover added 11 points, while Webster Cannon chipped in 8 points and 4 assists.

Yet Jones and the Panther perimeter shooters were too much for the Owls. Jones threw in 17 points, and Bartlett shot 60% from the field for the game to take control.

With the loss, MUS falls to 3-3 for the year. They return home Thursday as they battle Catholic and then Saturday for a tilt against Bishop Byrne. Both tip offs are set for 7:30PM.