MIDDLETOWN >> A 14-3 fourth quarter propelled the Middletown Mustangs to a 47-29 win over the Casa Grande Gauchos of Petaluma on Monday night at Middletown High School.
“We finished the game really well,” Middletown coach Anthony Bazzno said of his 5-2 Mustangs, who were playing only their second home game this season. “We beat a pretty solid Division II NBL (North Bay League) school, so we’re pleased with that.”
Middletown led 23-17 at halftime after squandering a double-digit advantage late in the second quarter.
“We made some silly turnovers and they hit a couple of 3s (3-pointers) and just like that it was a six-point game,” Bazzano said.
Middletown post players Abby Aden and Ashlyn Welton recorded double-doubles to power the Mustangs. Aden finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Welton added 12 points and 15 rebounds. Guard Makenzi Smith helped out with nine points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
“My bigs were pretty special tonight,” Bazzano said.
Middletown took a 33-26 lead into the final period before breaking the game open.
“They tried to pressure us in the fourth quarter and we were able to get some easy baskets,” Bazzano said.
Casa Grande drops to 4-2 on the season.
The Mustangs’ schedule gets even harder tonight as they travel to Lafayette to play undefeated Acalanes, another Division II team. The Dons enter play 8-0.
“They’re every bit as difficult an opponent as we’ll see the rest of the way,” Bazzano said.
After Acalanes, Middletown is off until the West Coast Jamboree on Dec. 28-30. The Mustangs open their North Central League I schedule on Jan. 5 at home against Lower Lake.
Middletown’s junior varsity team beat Casa Grande on Monday. Details were not reported.
