2008 Woodie Awards
Mules Win with Defense, Team Energy
Nate Taylor: Muleskinner
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Sports
If the Central Missouri Mules' basketball team is going to win games down the stretch of the MIAA conference schedule, the team might want to focus on one thing.
Defense.
After the Mules allowed 59 points to Northwest Missouri in a loss Saturday, the team gave up only 54 points to Fort Hays State in a 64-54 victory Monday night in the Multipurpose Building.
"We just had to keep our heads up," said sophomore guard Tremaine Luellen. "We knew we played good defense Saturday, but we just didn't execute well offensively."
While having to play two games in three days, the Mules had little time to think about their loss to Northwest. With that, the players knew the only way to come back was to play harder on both ends of the floor.
"We have to play hard every day," Luellen said. "We're still not out of the tournament, so we have to give it our all and keep winning.
"That's the main reason coach has tried to get across to us," he said. "We're out there playing hard, so if we can keep a team under 68 points, then we think we can win."
"We got some good play from Frazier and Skip Thomas tonight, and that's the type of effort we need from guys," said coach Kim Anderson.
Another reason for the victory was the improved defense the Mules showed the Tigers from behind the three-point line.
In the first match-up, the Tigers connected on 12 three-pointers that led to their win. In Monday's game, the Mules guarded the ball better and never let Fort Hays get in a rhythm.
Junior forward Skip Thomas led the Mules with his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while junior guard Nathan Frazier added 13. Defensively, the Mules held the Tigers to just 30 percent shooting.
For Frazier, the key to victory was better defense against Fort Hays.
"We knew they could shoot before the first game, but we didn't realize they could shoot it that well," Frazier said. "Tonight, we wanted them to not beat us from the three, and make them put the ball on the floor."
For the Mules to continue their winning ways, the team understands it has to play well at Emporia Saturday night and get a critical conference victory to improve their South Central regional ranking.
"We just have to keep working hard," Thomas said. "They beat us here, so now it's time to get them back."
"We're real hungry to get a win at Emporia," Luellen said. "They beat us in overtime, so we have to go there Saturday, and try to do the same to them."
Defense.
After the Mules allowed 59 points to Northwest Missouri in a loss Saturday, the team gave up only 54 points to Fort Hays State in a 64-54 victory Monday night in the Multipurpose Building.
"We just had to keep our heads up," said sophomore guard Tremaine Luellen. "We knew we played good defense Saturday, but we just didn't execute well offensively."
While having to play two games in three days, the Mules had little time to think about their loss to Northwest. With that, the players knew the only way to come back was to play harder on both ends of the floor.
"We have to play hard every day," Luellen said. "We're still not out of the tournament, so we have to give it our all and keep winning.
"That's the main reason coach has tried to get across to us," he said. "We're out there playing hard, so if we can keep a team under 68 points, then we think we can win."
"We got some good play from Frazier and Skip Thomas tonight, and that's the type of effort we need from guys," said coach Kim Anderson.
Another reason for the victory was the improved defense the Mules showed the Tigers from behind the three-point line.
In the first match-up, the Tigers connected on 12 three-pointers that led to their win. In Monday's game, the Mules guarded the ball better and never let Fort Hays get in a rhythm.
Junior forward Skip Thomas led the Mules with his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while junior guard Nathan Frazier added 13. Defensively, the Mules held the Tigers to just 30 percent shooting.
For Frazier, the key to victory was better defense against Fort Hays.
"We knew they could shoot before the first game, but we didn't realize they could shoot it that well," Frazier said. "Tonight, we wanted them to not beat us from the three, and make them put the ball on the floor."
For the Mules to continue their winning ways, the team understands it has to play well at Emporia Saturday night and get a critical conference victory to improve their South Central regional ranking.
"We just have to keep working hard," Thomas said. "They beat us here, so now it's time to get them back."
"We're real hungry to get a win at Emporia," Luellen said. "They beat us in overtime, so we have to go there Saturday, and try to do the same to them."
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