Menu
Defense, Gowen lift Lady Mules past Saxony Lutheran
The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules got a big second half from their defense and a big offensive game from Ireland Gowen to hit a big milestone Thursday night.
The Lady Mules held Saxony Lutheran to just four second-half field goals to turn a close game into a rout and also got 31 points and 15 rebounds from Gowen to take a 68-40 win over the Crusaders Thursday night at Mules Gymnasium.
“We’ve been practicing and trying to regroup,” Poplar Bluff coach Soley Dugas said. “We’ve lost some games back to back, so you’ve got to go back to fundamentals, and you’ve got to go back to just playing hard and knowing that you can do it — and that starts on the defensive end. I’m just proud of them for sticking with the game plan and trusting one another to work harder on defense.”
After a tightly contested first half which saw the Crusaders lead 19-15 after the opening period and trail just 32-29 at halftime, Poplar Bluff turned it up on defense after the intermission.
The Lady Mules held Saxony Lutheran to just one field goal in the third period while outscoring the Crusaders 19-3 in the period to break the game open. Poplar Bluff kept it up in the fourth quarter, allowing just three field goals while outscoring Saxony Lutheran 17-8 in the final eight minutes.
With the win, the Lady Mules improve to 8-7 on the season, surpassing their win total from last season. Thursday’s win also snaps a four-game losing streak and give the team its first win of 2025.
“It feels great,” Dugas said. “We only won seven games total last year, so we’re officially (passed that) now. We’re seeing improvement. And starting a program that’s, that’s all you can ask for is to get better every year and keep stacking wins.”
Fresh off of a 25-point, 20-rebound performance in Poplar Bluff’s last game, Gowen stepped up again Thursday with her second double-double in as many games.
“I don’t know what it is about Saxony, but Ireland gets it going (against Saxony Lutheran),” Dugas said. “She had 31 points last time we played them and she had 31 points tonight. She’s the leader on the floor. She’s a glue to this team, and (I’m) thankful that she’s bought in and she can lead by example for the rest of them.”
Jadyn Brandon and Allie Johnson each added 10 points for the Lady Mules, while Addie Valenzuela had seven, Julissa Johnson chipped in six and Paige Epps finished with four. Johnson also had eight rebounds, while Epps added six.
Emmalee Mueller led Saxony Lutheran with 16 points, while Allie Niccum and Timora Criddle each had seven.
Poplar Bluff is back in action Saturday when it hosts Dyersburg, Tennessee at 3:30 p.m.
“They’re really athletic and they’re really fast,” Dugas said. “They’re going to be a tough opponent for us, but I think coming off this win (is) big going into that game. We’re just going to have to play our game and stick to what we work on and what we do — and work together.”
Notes: Between the junior varsity and varsity girls games Thursday night, the Unified Champions Mules All-Stars Game took place at Mules Gymnasium, with the White team scoring a 19-16 win over the Maroon team. ... The Lady Mules also host Mehlville on Monday.