The Mexico boys’ basketball team kept things rolling on Friday.

 Traveling to Columbia, the No. 3 ranked, Class 4-Bulldogs topped the Class 6 Hickman Kewpies 56-53 to move to 11-0 on the year.

 Senior Daeye Miller fueled Mexico to an early 18-9 lead, scoring seven first-quarter points and another six in the second to enter the break up 29-23.

 “We were able to really get downhill on our dribble drives and our motion offense,” head coach Darren Pappas explained. “But give them credit, in the second half they made some defensive adjustments and were sagging off and had guys sitting there waiting on us.”

 Mexico continued to attack the basket and got to the free-throw line. However, the Bulldogs shot just 12 of 27 from the stripe.

 “I don’t know if it was fatigue, or what it was,” said Pappas. “But we were still able to get some points in the paint and transition points.”

 Mexico led 41-32 entering the final frame, but the host Kewpies clawed back with a 21-point fourth quarter. They would pull within three, but ran out of time, as the Bulldogs held on 56-53 as the clock expired.

 The Bulldogs had an uncharacteristic number of turnovers (13), but Pappas said his team made up for it defensively and on the glass.

 “They were really aggressive with their defense, and that maybe cost us a few turnovers,” he said. “But we still found a way to execute, play really good defense and beat them on the boards.”

 The Bulldogs finished with 29 defensive rebounds, 18 offensive boards and 44 points in the paint.

 Leading the way was Miller, who was 8 of 9 from the field and finished with 17 points, 17 rebounds and took two key charges in the contest.

 Michael White added 14 points, four rebounds and a steal; Isaiah Reams finished with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists; D.J. Long tallied seven points and five boards; Jordan Shelton notched six points, three rebounds and three dimes; and Anthony Shivers added a point and a rebound.

 Pappas also noted the play of senior Peyton Willer, saying that while he didn’t score in the contest, his contributions were significant.

 “He had eight defensive rebounds and he held one of their top scorers to three points,” Pappas explained. “That was huge for us. He had a big role in guarding one of their best perimeter shooters.”

Mexico was originally scheduled to play Pattonville in the Mid-Missouri Invitational in Harrisburg, but the late-week winter weather threw a wrench in the plan and the event was postponed. The showcase is expected to be rescheduled, but no further information was available at press time.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to play Marceline on Monday in pool play for the 44th Annual Macon Invitational Tournament, then are slated to play the host Tigers on Wednesday.

“The Macon Tournament has always been kind of a tough tournament for us,” said Pappas. “We’ve found some success, but we have two tough opponents in Marceline and then Macon.”