The Mexico Lady Bulldogs wrapped their 2021-22 regular season this week.

 For the third consecutive year they clinched at least a share of the North Central Missouri Conference title.

 Hosting Macon on Monday for the team’s last home game of the year, the Bulldogs came out flat and were outscored 20-7 in the opening frame.

 “We didn’t do a really good job of containing their leading scorer, Alexis Miller,” explained head coach Ed Costley. “She had 13 of their 20 in the first quarter, so that was the key there.”

 Lexie Willer and Ruby Haefling each knocked down triples in the second quarter, and Mexico outscored the visiting Tigers in the third quarter to pull within 12. But the Lady Bulldogs could never quite get over the hump, falling 51-38.

 “I just think the one difference was they did a really good job and their go-to player made some plays both inside and outside for them,” Costley said.

 Alexis Miller finished with 32 for Macon.

 Mya Miller led Mexico with 11 points, Taylor DeMint scored 10, Riley Thurman totaled eight and Willer, Haefling and Jordyn Thurman each added three.

 The Lady Bulldogs responded with a quick turnaround in their season-finale at Hannibal on Tuesday.

 Flipping the script from the day prior, Mexico got out to an early advantage and got 12 first-half points from Miller to take an 18-5 lead into the half.

 “I was pleased at how we came back,” said Costley. “I thought we weren’t as sharp offensively in the first quarter, but I thought defensively we really stayed basic and made it difficult for them.”

 The Lady Bulldogs opened the floodgates in the third, outscoring the Lady Pirates 20-6 to extend their lead.

 “We had some good opportunities,” Costley said of the third quarter. “I thought Mya Miller really stepped up strong. Riley Thurman had seven of her 11 in the third quarter, and Lexi Willer hit a big three to start the quarter and just got things rolling for us.”

 Mexico rode things out in the final frame to win 42-21.

 Miller led all scorers with 21, Riley Thurman scored 11, DeMint chipped in five and Willer and Hudson added three and two, respectively.

 Mexico finishes the season with a 16-9 record, going 8-2 in league play. After beating Moberly last Friday, the conference win over Hannibal secured Mexico’s share of the NCMC title. The Lady Bulldogs split the award with Moberly and Kirksville.

 “We were able to upset the conference party when we beat Moberly and then we won last night and that gave us a share of the NCMC title,” Costley explained. “For us that’s pretty good. That’s three years in a row for our team, and we’ve got some seniors that have been a part of that for three years, so that’s a pretty good accomplishment for our girls.”

 Mexico now enters the Class 4, District 8 Tournament hosted at Centralia High School.

 The No. 6-seed Lady Bulldogs are matched up against a familiar foe in No. 3 Kirksville on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

 The teams met three times this season, with Kirksville winning two of three. Costley said Kirksville may have a slight advantage just knowing they’ve already beaten Mexico twice, but that perhaps that will cause the Lady Tigers to overlook his squad.

 Mexico is also hitting a nice stride after a brutal mid-season schedule. The Lady Bulldogs have won four of their last five games and — after both players were in and out of the lineup due to injuries in recent weeks—are hopeful Claire Hudson and Jordyn Thurman are both 100 percent come tipoff.

“I think defense is the key for us,” Costley said heading into the Kirksville matchup. “And just more flow for us on the offense. If we can have everybody full strength and go at it, I think we’ll be fine. We’ve just got to force them to stay off their hot spots on the perimeter.”