For the second straight game, the Mexico boys came back from a halftime deficit to advance in the playoffs. This time, the Bulldogs were down bigger 33-24 to second-ranked St. Francis Borgia at home on Tuesday night but ended up winning 62-56.
Mexico was down 41-34 in the third quarter before some steals cut its deficit to 41-38 after three and then continued its momentum with a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter to build a 50-43 lead. The Bulldogs outscored Borgia 24-15 in the fourth quarter to win the first ever sectional game they hosted.
DJ Long led the floor with 20 points and had 10 rebounds, Kaden Benne followed with 18 points and four 3-pointers, including two in his 10-point fourth quarter, and PJ Perkins had nine points and 13 rebounds.
Tate Marquart, who had 12 points for Borgia, had three 3-pointers that let Borgia cling to a chance for victory late in the game and then stole the ball with the Knights down 60-56 in the final seconds. Charlie Fisher (eight points) swatted away his fastbreak attempt prior to Benne nailing two more clinching free throws.
Adam Rickman (who averages a double-double for Borgia around 17 points and nine rebounds) led the Knights with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Mexico advances to its third state quarterfinal game in four years on Saturday at No. 1 Vashon (23-6). The Wolverines are three-time reigning state champions and defeated Mexico two years ago in the quarterfinals 69-44.
Look for the full story with comments from head coach Darren Pappas and players on Wednesday on the Mexico Ledger website. Also read about Mexico's third district title victory in four years in the print edition.
