Mustangs split weekend

Malta's chances to pick up a pair of wins last weekend were dashed by Shelby's Aaron White 12 free throw attempts made in the fourth quarter, as White led the Shelby Coyotes to a 60-53 win over the Mustangs accounting for a game high 33 points.

The loss came after slow starts in the first and third periods; in which Malta only scored eight points in each of those quarters.

"It gives us a few things to work on," Coach Costin said. "We struggled against their 1-3-1 zone (defense). We actually did practice that during the week but it's hard to simulate their size and speed."

Coach Costin noted that their issues in the loss also stemmed from the defense effort, early in the game.

"To open the game we gave up six or seven layups right at the start of the game," he said. "We just didn't move our feet well."

In the first quarter, Malta was outscored 20-8. Junior post Taylor Matthews accounted for all eight of Malta's points in the opening period and the first point in the second quarter. Matthews had 13 points in the game. Nate Costin led Malta with 22 points, despite being the key focus of Shelby that night.

"Taylor had a fantastic game with 13 points," Coach Costin said. "For the attention he has been getting, that's a big night."

Malta would come storming back in the second quarter to cut Shelby's lead down to one point, the score being 30-29 at halftime.

Malta's third quarter output was eight points, while the team gave up 12. Shelby was up 42-37 at the start of the fourth quarter.

"We kind of started the third quarter the same way," Coach Costin said. "We let the White kid get loose and we just weren't aware of where he was at. White scored eight of the Coyotes' 12 points in the quarter. In that zone, you gotta know where the shooter is at and we didn't."

During Malta's five minute scoring drought in the third quarter, Coach Costin sent in Tel Jenson who was able to create a little chaos on defense, while grabbing rebounds on both sides of the ball.

"I would say those were Tel's best varsity minutes for us," Coach Costin said. "He played very well for us. (With Jensen) You're bringing in a kid that's very athletic, quick and he made some stuff happen."

Coach Costin went on to say that there were some bright spots in the game but the offensive droughts were hard to overcome against tougher teams like Shelby.

"Against a good team, it's hard to pull yourself out of that hole once you dig it," Coach Costin said.

Another bright spot was Konner Kuehn, who scored nine points off of the bench.

Malta defeated the Glasgow Scotties 60-32 in Glasgow on Friday, January 13. The team was led by both Ostin Welch and N. Costin who had 16 points apiece. Welch had four treys, three of which came in his 11 point effort in the fourth. Matthews had 14 points.

"It was a very scrappy, hard fought game," Coach Costin said. "That's the way Glasgow plays. They defend and rebound well. "

He went on to say that Glasgow's 2-3 defense was the best that Malta has seen this season.

"It was tight the first half and then we managed to pull away," Coach Costin said. "I thought we defended well. We only gave up 32 points. We can't complain about that."

The Mustangs will square off against Harlem on Thursday, January 19 and then Poplar in Malta on Friday, January 20.

"I think for us it's going to be effort," Coach Costin said. "We're going to come and make a concerted effort to be going hard every time we're doing something in practice."