Mustangs fall to Shelby, Glasgow

The Malta Mustangs struggled to find offensive rhythm last weekend as they lost close, low-scoring games to Glasgow and Shelby.

“I didn’t feel that we played very well in Glasgow,” Coach David Costin said after the team’s loss to Shelby. “Defensively, we gave up a lot of easy baskets versus tonight, I thought our defense was pretty solid.”

The Mustangs hosted the Shelby Coyotes at the Malta High School Gymnasium on Saturday, January 13. The Coyotes won 30-29, as Malta’s last field goal rolled out of the rim with the buzzer sounding in regulation.

“We were playing against a better team (in Class B basketball),” Coach Costin said. “I think our struggles offensively were (because of us) not executing. There was a lot of standing. I think we can get to where we are flowing through stuff better.”

Malta was led by senior Taylor Matthews, who had 17 points, which included a late and rare trey that put Malta within one possession of catching Shelby.

The game started slow and dragged along as neither team had more than three field goals in the first two quarters. The halftime score was 16-13 in favor of Malta.

Malta’s offense was held to one two-point field goal in the third period, Shelby’s offense had their best offensive output, scoring 11 points and securing a 24-18 lead at the end of the quarter. Malta scored 11 in the fourth, while holding Shelby to six.

After forcing a late turnover, Malta put up a couple of contested shots in the final seconds only to fall one point short.

“(Shelby) executed,” Coach Costin said. “They are just a very patient team but we managed to contest shots and rebound the ball. But for us, we were just standing a lot. If we can get moving and flowing a little bit better and pass better, I think we will be okay.”

Malta was defeated 49-45 by 2B rival Glasgow in Glasgow on Friday, January 12.

Malta was led by Matthews who had 23 points. Kuehn had nine points and Tel Jensen had five points.

Glasgow outscored Malta 31-22 in the first half. Malta stole some momentum in the third quarter outscoring Glasgow 15-9, but the team was ultimately unable to catch up.

Malta will host Harlem, who sits in second place behind Poplar in 2B basketball on Friday, January 19. The Mustangs will then travel to Poplar to take on the Indians who are currently ranked first in 2B basketball.

The Mustangs are currently 4-6 overall and sitting in fourth place in the 2B standings after going 1-3 in their first four 2B games.