Mules battle with Kentucky power before fading late

PADUCAH, Ky. — The Poplar Bluff Mules boys basketball team was able to go toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in Kentucky for almost 23 minutes over the weekend.

The Mules trailed western Kentucky power McCracken County by just three points at halftime — and just seven with under a minute left in the third quarter — but could not sustain that momentum after the intermission in an 84-64 loss Saturday night.

The host Mustangs (21-2) outscored Poplar Bluff 16-4 to open the second half, taking a 50-35 lead on Carson Purvis’ 3-pointer with 3:23 left in the third quarter.

The Mules (6-11) did not go away, going on a 10-2 run and cutting the deficit to 52-45 less than two minutes later on Brendan Durden’s trey. Durden then added another layup in the final minute of the third to again cut the deficit to seven (54-47)

However, those would be the last points Poplar Bluff would score for more than three minutes as the Mustangs scored the next 18 points — eight to end the third and 10 more to open the fourth quarter — to break the game open and win going away.

Darius Graham le the Mules with 18 points, while Gavin Rivers had 13, Torrence Williams added 11 and Durden finished with nine.

Jack McCune led McCracken County with 30 points, while Purvis added 17 and Ian Hart finished with 13.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Benton, Ill. 46, Poplar Bluff 43

At Benton, Ill., the Lady Mules led for much of the game, but could not hold off a comeback by the host Rangerettes.

Benton led 14-9 after the opening period, but the Lady Mules opened the second quarter on a 13-0 run to take a 22-14 lead they maintained until the fourth quarter. Poplar Bluff led 35-31 at the start of the final period, but the Rangerettes popped four 3-pointers and outscored Poplar Bluff 15-9 in the final eight minutes to complete the comeback.

Madelyn Eads led the Lady Mules with 21 points, while Nevaeh Larkins added eight.

Mia Wills paced Benton with 17 points.

WRESTLING

Mules have three take third at Kyle Thrasher tourney

At the Kyle Thrasher tournament over the weekend at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, the Mules had three wrestlers finish in the top three at the tournament.

On the girls side, the Lady Mules finished 18th as three wrestlers placed in the top six, including two who finished third. Kayleigh Dazey (105 pounds) and Zoe Freeman (170) both took third as each finished 3-1 at the tournament, while Madison Hayman (140) took sixth and won a pair of matches.

On the boys side, the Mules finished 27th at the tournament with 39 1/2 points. Logan Hite (165 pounds) shook off a semifinal loss to win his final two matches and take third. He is now 31-8 on the season. Dace Wisdom (144 pounds) and Lucas Robertson (150) each won two matches at the tournament, with Robertson finishing one win shy of a top-six finish.