Falcons’ Late Push Falls Short Against Mustangs

The Folsom Lake Falcons showed heart and resilience but fell just short losing 75-68 to the San Joaquin Delta Mustangs on Tuesday evening. Despite a second-half surge, the Falcons couldn't overcome the Mustangs' hot shooting and dominance on the boards.

Slow Start Costs Falcons

The Falcons struggled to find their rhythm early, shooting just 37.7% from the field overall. The Mustangs capitalized on Folsom Lake's slow start, building a 45-32 lead by halftime. San Joaquin Delta's frontcourt, led by Dwight Strickland's 15 rebounds and 10 points, controlled the paint and limited the Falcons' second-chance opportunities.

Second-Half Resilience

Folsom Lake regrouped after the break, outscoring the Mustangs 36-30 in the second half. Guard Micah Hobson led the charge with 16 points and 5 rebounds, driving the offense with key plays down the stretch. Forward Colin Billy added 15 points and 6 rebounds, while Miko Bear contributed 12 points and 6 boards.

Despite their improved energy and execution, the Falcons struggled to convert from beyond the arc, shooting just 27.8% on 3-pointers. Missed opportunities from the free-throw line (68.8%) also hurt their chances in a closely contested second half.

Bright Spots for the Falcons

While the loss was disappointing, the Falcons showed flashes of potential, particularly in their defensive pressure, tallying 11 steals as a team. Bear's hustle on both ends and Hobson's leadership stood out as positive takeaways for Folsom Lake in the season opener.

Coach's Take

Falcons Head Coach Bill Benford acknowledged the team's effort but emphasized the need for a stronger start. "We played hard and showed fight in the second half, but we've got to clean up our execution early in games. Rebounding and shot selection will be key areas of focus moving forward."