Dogs Win 2 More At Home

By GANNON HANEVOLD

Moapa Valley Progress

Right in the thick of the playoff hunt, the Mesquite Desert Dogs had a pivotal doubleheader last week.

A significant roster change earlier in the week posed a bittersweet moment for the Mesquite squad. The Desert Dogs’ second leading scorer Johnathan Loyd left Mesquite last week to play for the NBLC’s Island Storm in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

On Thursday, the Dogs played the first in two home games against San Diego Waves. Early on the Waves led the Desert Dogs 6-10. But the Dogs quickly rallied in a 13-3 run and by the end of the first quarter, a pair of Spencer Mathis triples and a Tyron Criswell baseline jumper at the buzzer made it 34-26.

In the second, Criswell established himself as an offensive catalyst. With 7:37 on the clock in the second quarter, a short 4-0 run highlighted by a Don Muepo slam sent the Mesquite crowd into a frenzy. Muepo was the star late in the first half as well, making a three and converting an ‘and-one’ in the final ninety seconds. The Desert Dogs led 64-50 at half.

In the third quarter, the lead only extended further. Muepo landed his second dunk of the game to push the lead to 26 points late in the third.
The team hit triple digits at the last possible second, as Tyron Criswell knocked down a short jumper at the buzzer to make it 100-76 before the final period.

With fifty seconds left in the game, Dushone Brown slammed home a fastbreak dunk that was poster-worthy to add the final touches on a blowout victory. The final score was 137-106.

Head Coach Carlnell Wiley said of the team’s first action without Loyd, “We’re really happy for Johnathan, but change can be good, and it got this team feisty and reloaded again.”

Wiley also had praise for Stephen McCall, who solidified himself as the team’s new lead guard. “Stephen is on this team for a reason,” he said. “He’s a leader and he is tough as nails.”

A day later, the game was a much different story. On Friday, the Waves steamrolled their way to a 33-13 first quarter lead. The Desert Dogs chipped away at that deficit, but still managed to trail 54-40 at halftime.

In the second half, the lead reached 62-45 just a minute in. But Muepo scored on consecutive ‘and-ones’ to make it 62-53.

Brandon Mitchell sunk a three to cap off an impressive run. McCall tied the game at 66 apiece with a pair of free throws just minutes later. Suddenly, the game was up for grabs.
The Desert Dogs didn’t take their first lead until the fourth quarter, and the game came down to the final minutes.

Trailing 104-102, the Desert Dogs had possession with fifty seconds left. As the clock hit 48 seconds, Brandon Mitchell made a layup and drew a foul to give the Dogs a 105-104 lead.

Zerrion Payton of the Waves responded with a driving slam to take the lead back.
Down 106-105, guard Stephen McCall drew a foul with 31 seconds left. McCall sunk both free throws. The Desert Dogs ended up defeating the Waves 107-106.

Following the nail-biting victory, Mesquite has plenty of momentum and will carry that into a home game this Saturday night at 7:00 against the Albany Patroons.