The Mustangs boys basketball team improved to 3-2 in the Skyline Conference and 3-9 overall after defeating the Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas 82-32 during Staff Appreciation Night at the Stable on Tuesday.

Jojo Bartolomeos led the team with 26 points and 8 steals followed by Teni Phillips with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Sam Eibes and Jaidyn Rennie both contributed 9 points, while Nate Williams scored 7 points. 

The Mustangs got out to an early 12-0 lead and kept the pressure on the Pumas for most of the first half. According to head coach Matt Shepherd, the boys moved the ball around well and were making good decisions until about five minutes left in the first half when they gave up nine points in the final four minutes. Maranatha went into halftime with a 43-20 lead.

After a halftime talk about staying locked in on the goals the team set for the game, the boys came out in the second half determined to play with intensity and focus until the buzzer sounded, and that is what they did. The Mustangs outscored the Pumas 18-4 during the first seven minutes of the second half. As players began to come in off the bench with about ten minutes to go, the boys maintained control of the game, and the Mustangs fans had plenty to cheer about as Maranatha earned their first win since December 17. 

“I’m happy with how the boys played overall. We wanted to get the win and focus on the things we need to in order to beat some of the tougher teams we have to play over the next few weeks,” said Matt Shepherd. 

The JV boys team also played great basketball, defeating the Pumas by a score of 57-22.

Maranatha will travel to Nova Classical to take on the 2-7 Knights this Friday, January 17. C-team plays at 4:45 pm, followed by JV at 6:00 pm and Varsity at 7:30 pm. 

Homecoming is scheduled for Friday, Januay 31. The Mustangs will take on the Trinity Tri-Hawks. Checkout the schedule for the week and come out to support your Mustangs!