HOXIE, Ark. --The Mules earned another shot at the Mustang Classic title by reaching the final for a second straight year as Poplar Bluff beat Maynard (Ark.) 53-44 in Friday's semifinal.
The Mules (8-3) were to face host Hoxie (8-6) in the final Saturday night. Last year the Mustangs won 57-52 in the final and went on to claim the Arkansas 3A state title.
"They've got a good group, five girls that can score a little bit," Mules coach John David Pattillo said. "We're going to have to play good defense and we're going to have to move a little better than we've been moving offensively."
In Friday's semifinal, Kiley Bess scored 24 points and Shelby Sievers added 10, seven in the third quarter to help the Mules take a four-point lead into the fourth. Doni Everts scored four of her six points in the final quarter when Poplar Bluff allowed just two field goals.
Bess scored 11 of Poplar Bluff's 17 first-quarter points as the Mules took a three-point lead into the second. Poplar Bluff led 27-21 at halftime but Maynard got within 39-35 to start the fourth.
Katie Pattillo and Hannah Corcimiglia each sank a 3-pointer in the fourth when the Mules got to the free-throw line just once. Pattillo also had a 3 in the first quarter for six points.
Maynard (14-5) sank 15 of 30 foul shots and was led by Sybell Howison's 13 points and 12 from Bethany Dobbins.
"We were really stagnant and stale at times," Coach Pattillo said. "We didn't play that great. So hopefully we're ready to step out there and play a lot better."
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Editor's note: Saturday's championship game ended after press time. A story will appear online at www.semoball.com.