Mexico’s shots weren’t falling and Kankakee knew what to do with them.

Mexico vs Kankakee Norm Stewart Classic Photo Gallery

The Bulldogs shot 22 percent from the field in their 9 p.m. Thursday night Norm Stewart Classic game against Kankakee, out of Illinois, to lose 65-35 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. They scored their lowest amount of points this season in their return to the Classic, having one lone double-digit scoring night from Jaydon Eldridge at 10 points.

Mexico’s shooting declined over the course of the game as its 31 percent in the first half was flipped to 13 percent in the second half, making a 32-20 halftime deficit grow. Head coach Darren Pappas said that would happen against Kankakee’s size and athleticism as the Kays (4-1) outscored the Bulldogs (3-3) on the fastbreak 18-3.

“We definitely missed some easy opportunities around the rim,” Pappas said. “Their length, I think, gave us a little bit of trouble around the paint and around the rim.”

Kankakee has plenty of talent as they came in with three straight seasons over 20 wins to counter Mexico’s two. This year’s Kays heard not long before the game that they were ranked sixth in Class 3A in Illinois. 

In three of Kankakee’s previous four games this season, the Kays scored at least 80 points. In this game, the Kays shot at least 40 percent in every quarter.

“They got their hands on a lot of stuff, got some steals and then they got out and ran in transition and we didn’t get back,” Pappas said. “Those are easy buckets when it’s two-on-ones and three-and-fours and three-on-twos.”

Lincoln Williams led Kankakee with 16 points and eight rebounds to earn the MVP award, Eli Stipp had 16 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, and Jordan Davis had 12 points. Those kids have respective heights of 6-foot-6, 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-2 and the Kays had six others at 6 feet or above. Pappas said it’s hard to see length like that anywhere in Missouri and at least the Bulldogs haven’t seen any like that previously.

“They have athleticism, length, activity on the defensive end and an ability to rebound at a high level and only hold you to one shot and out,” Pappas said. “We did a pretty good job of getting some offensive rebounds, but we just didn’t finish. That’s not typical of our ballclub.”

Mexico did outrebound Kankakee on the offensive glass with a 19-12 advantage. PJ Perkins picked up four offensive among his nine rebounds, and Eldridge had three of his eight, including a slam dunk on one of them. Holden Aulbur was the most active with seven of his nine rebounds being offensive rebounds. 

In the first quarter, Mexico played Kankakee close and only trailed 14-9 after one quarter. The Bulldogs then used those boards and all nine of Kaden Benne’s points in the first half to cut their deficit to as low as 20-18 before the Kays pulled away.

“Holden was one of our bright spots for tonight,” Pappas said. “He did a really good job of rebounding and trying to be that paint presence that we need and he used his length to get out and run in transition. There were a few times he got out and ran in transition, and he’s starting to figure it out from the free-throw line, which is good because he’s going to get fouled.”

A new feature to plenty of teams over the three days of the Norm Stewart Classic this year was the 35-second shot clock installed over the baskets at Mizzou Arena. Pappas said Mexico hadn’t played a game with a shot clock before, but that doesn’t matter and it didn’t affect the team’s poor shooting on Thursday. 

In fact, Pappas said Mexico looks forward to a potential implementation in Missouri in the future. Starting this season, MSHSAA allowed the use of a shot clock in varsity tournaments or shootout-style games.

“I don’t think that played a factor at all in what we try to do offensively,” Pappas said. “Usually, we don’t hold on to the ball too long. We’re not trying to stall or anything like that. We move that ball as much as we can and try to get a shot up pretty quick.  It’s nice to play with a shot clock because we know it’s coming and are actually excited about that.”

Mexico plays more North Central Missouri Conference games this week, following its 73-40 opening win at Marshall last week. Perkins led with 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, Eldridge followed with 13 points and six rebounds, and Benne and Charlie Fisher each had 11 points. The Bulldogs hosted Kirksville (4-0) on Tuesday and will play at Hannibal (0-2) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We can’t let this bog us down or hold us back,” Pappas said. “We have to continue to build.”