It was a tough one
The Mustangs had a chance to battle for 2nd place in the west hosting Ft. Lewis. The Stangs came out and played what may have been their best half of basketball all season. Defense was solid, offense was very good and the Stangs lead by 15 at the break. Ft. Lewis is a good, experienced team and maybe the Mustangs not only expected a run from the Hawks but maybe it worried them too. You could see the Mustangs seemed to be tentative and waiting; they stopped moving without the ball on offense and then didn’t rotate the help on the other end.
Despite playing poorly, the Mustangs shot only 29% in the 2nd half after shooting 50% in the first; the Stangs lead down to the end and had a chance to win. Instead it was a 2 OT game. Ft. Lewis jumped out to a 7 point lead in stanza #1 but the Stangs answered with their own run. In the 2nd OT the Mustangs gave up 5 quick points then answered pulling to within 1 but just couldn’t get over the hump. Ft. Lewis had the experience to withstand the Mustangs: we are young and will learn from the game; IF this group of guys continues to work hard like they have been, with time the Mustangs will have the mental toughness that Ft. Lewis has but we are much more talented team and will be a much better TEAM than Ft. Lewis.
It’s a tough loss and the Mustangs will need to come out firing on all cylinders Saturday with Adams State coming to town. Adams State and WNMU have something of a rivalry building and the Grizzlies would love to beat the Mustangs. It would be a bright spot in a dismal season. If the Mustangs put together 2 halves like the first half last night; it will be a blow out. But it just doesn’t happen; you have to focus and pay attention to the little things; run the offense; move without the ball; protect the basket on defense and box out. Do that and it’s a double digit win for the Stangs.
