Mustangs Split 2B Games

The Malta Mustangs basketball team split a pair of District 2B games last weekend, defeating the Harlem Wildcats 88-52 in Malta last Friday, December 16, then losing 58-57 to the Wolf Point Wolves in Wolf Point last Saturday, December 17.

The Mustangs are scheduled to go to Havre on Tuesday, December 20, to take on the Blue Ponies at 6 p.m. They will then face the Glasgow Scotties on Thursday, December 22, at 5 p.m. in their last game of 2022.

The Mustangs scored 30 of their points against Harlem in transition at Malta's final home game of the year. The team had a total of 15 steals.

"It was kind of just a hustle thing," senior co-captain Kaden Bishop said of their fast break performance. "You gotta bust up and down the court every time, trying to get quick and easy baskets. The more you hustle, the more you will get points."

Senior Jared Eggebrecht and sophomore Bodhi Brenden each had five steals in the win. Brenden led the offensive charge with 21 points and four assists. He also had six rebounds.

Senior Kaden Bishop had 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Sophomore Treyton Wilke had 10 points and three assists. Senior Eli Hanson had 10 points, 11 rebounds, and one block.

Hanson, a team co-captain was asked what the key to Malta's win was that night.

"I think just a lot of teamwork, hustling up and down the floor, blocking out, getting rebounds, moving the ball," Hanson said. "All of it came together for a good win tonight."

Malta led 22-19 after the conclusion of the first quarter, but the defense held Harlem to seven points in the second quarter, while Malta scored 19. The halftime score was 41-26. Malta had their highest offensive output in the third quarter outsourcing Harlem 33-12. Both teams scored 14 points in the fourth quarter.

Malta had a season-high 24 assists. The Mustangs displayed the best team chemistry that they have had all season.

"Sharing the ball and not being too selfish," Bishop said. "You have to pass up a good shot for a great shot sometimes. You move the ball around and you will get easy shots every time."

In Malta's loss to Wolf Point, the Mustangs had the lead a few times in the first quarter, but the Wolves would lead from the second quarter until the final buzzer, which included a half-court trey from Brenden as time expired.

Brenden led Malta with 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Bishop had 15 points and three rebounds. Hanson had a 10 point, 10 rebound double-double.