BASKETBALL: Mustangs drop home contest to Marion, 55-35

The Nixon-Smiley Mustangs tried to keep it close at home against the Marion Bulldogs on Saturday, Feb. 5, but their visitors were having none of it as the hosts lost, 55-35, in a key District 27-3A matchup.

Marion took a 15-8 lead after the first period and extended their advantage to 27-17 at the break.

Although the Mustangs (18-8, 5-6 in district) managed to cut and keep the deficit to single digits through much of the third quarter, they ran out of steam and Marion pushed the lead to 46-29 by the end of the frame. The Bulldogs then outscored Nixon-Smiley, 9-6, in the final period.

The Mustangs were led by Braxton Regalado with 13 points, Bradyn Martinez with 8, Carl White Jr. with 6, Dustin Mejia with 4, and Holden Canion and Ruben Bomer each with 2 points.

Nixon-Smiley had a huge district game at Randolph on Tuesday, Feb. 8. The Mustangs are clinging to the fourth and final playoff spot, while Randolph is nipping at their heels in fifth place, one game behind. A win puts the Mustangs two games up on the Ro-hawks and all but guarantees them a playoff berth.