The MUS varsity basketball team split two games this past week by losing a tough contest at Houston Friday, December 9, but then recovering and beating previously undefeated Bolton at home the next Monday.
Houston broke a close game open late in the second quarter with a 6-0 run to give the Mustangs a 26-17 lead heading into halftime. The Owls tried to close the gap but could not as they got no closer than six points the rest of the game. Houston played well and never gave MUS any opportunities as they won going away, 49-35. Jay Martin was the Owls’ only offensive threat as he scored 20 points by going 6 of 8 from three-point range.
After the disappointing loss, the Owls were determined to rebound as they took on the large, athletic Bolton squad the Monday before exams.
The game was close throughout much of the first half as neither team could garner more than a three-point lead. Yet a Peter-Zanca basket in the final thirty seconds of the half gave the Owls a 25-20 lead at the break.
MUS built on their momentum in the second half as they began the third quarter with a 13-5 run to give themselves a 38-25 lead. But Bolton stuck around and ultimately tied the score with 4:47 left in the game at 44 as MUS struggled to score in the fourth quarter.
But in the final four minutes, the Owls responded nicely by hitting 9 of 14 free throws and held on for the 55-53 win. Three players were in double figures for the Owls as Martin led with 18 points, while Zanca added 13 points and 5 rebounds, and Elliott Cole 11 points to help the Owls improve to 7-2.
MUS is currently taking exams and will not play again until December 28 in the Carbondale Holiday Invitational Tournament in Carbondale, Illinois.