A huge win!!!
The Mustangs beat a top 10 nationally ranked opponent for the first time in a long time last night as the Stangs lead wire to wire to topple the #9 Mesa State Mavericks. The loss was the Mavs first in conference play and second overall against 20 wins. We talked in the tip off show about how the Mavericks were a good team; emphasis on team. Despite the fact that Dominguez scored 21 a game his teammates were important and played specific roles on the team and did so very well.
But the Mustangs showed last night how much of a team they were as well. This victory was brought about by everyone on the team. TJ paced the Mustangs in scoring with 33 and recorded 12 rebounds while Carter, Crevelone and Macintosh added 12 a piece. But it was the defense and rebounding that was a key for the team.
The Mustangs held the Mavs to just 10 offense rebounds throughout the game and outrebounded the Mavs overall. The Mustangs got at least 14 pts off of offensive rebounds themselves. Defensively the Mustangs dominated Dominguez for most of the game; Jeron was assigned the task of guarding him and Dominguez had only 4 pts in the first half. To be sure, Jeron got help from the rest of the team. The Stangs were great but they were better than they have been, frustrating the Mavs to the point that it was obvious to the fans.
What was also key was that we knew the Mavs would make a run in the second half, trailing by 16 at the break; we also feared the Stangs would let them make a run. And it happened but what changed was the reaction of the Mustangs. At least 2 times the Mavs cut the lead to 4 and both times the Mustangs pulled themselves out of the doldrums and held of the top ranked RMAC team. In the past when the Stangs started standing around and settling for a one pass and long shot offense it was hard for them to recover the intensity. Last night they did that and last night the Stangs grew up just a little more as a team. Now the Stangs control their destiny. They have Pueblo and Highlands at home this week; if they Stangs get the sweep over the 2 teams just ahead of them in the standings then one win on the road and we should be in the playoffs. It won’t be easy but if this team continues to grow as a team, it is very realistic.
