The margin for error was minimal for the Mexico boys on Thursday at home.

There was no margin late in the fourth quarter because Mexico was tied at 53 with its North Central Missouri Conference foe Hannibal. Kinser Groves scored on a layup off an assist by Matai Holman before the Bulldogs made a key stop to win 55-53.

Head coach Darren Pappas said Mexico (6-2, 3-0 NCMC) accomplished late what it couldn’t at times during the game. Pappas said the Bulldogs lost Ben Richards too much as he led Hannibal (1-6, 0-3 NCMC) with 19 points and five 3-pointers and struggled to contend with Maurice Douglas, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds and is averaging a double-double this season, on the boards.

Mexico vs Hannibal Photo Gallery

“We got a couple key stops defensively,” Pappas said. “We got a tie up and a jump ball possession arrow our way, which helps. We finally locked down one rebound late in the game, which we needed because we couldn’t give them second or third opportunities.”

Brady Thoenen led Mexico with 22 points and five 3-pointers, which are both varsity career-high according to him. He also helped force Hannibal in a turnover when he pressured on a double team. Charlie Fisher finished with 16 points and six rebounds, James Matthews had eight points and six steals, and Groves added six points.

Mexico won 57-50 at conference foe Kirksville two days prior after Fisher led with 23 points and Thoenen followed with 13 points, 13 rebounds and three 3-pointers. Pappas said the Bulldogs were scoring more in transition at Kirksville (4-1, 0-1 NCMC), but Hannibal did better running back to force Mexico to score in the half court.

“Offensively we’re stagnant at times,” Pappas said. “We’re going to see a lot of 2-3 zone, I think because we’re so athletic and quick off the dribble. In our man to man stuff, it’s hard to guard. They’re trying to force us to shoot threes so I’ve got to do a better job of figuring something that works a little bit better.”

Pappas said Mexico did do better at “attacking gaps” in the 2-3 zone in the second half to kick to shooters like Thoenen on the perimeter.

Thursday’s game was Mexico’s third game without senior guard Kaden Benne, who is one of the team’s top scorers. Benne is expected to be out until the start of January so Thoenen said the Bulldogs have been finding ways to make up for those points. He said everybody has to do their part.

“Fortunutely, I’ve been able to come in these past two games and help out with that,” Thoenen said. “We’ve also had Quincy Bruce come up, and he’s been filling that spot pretty well.”

Thoenen has said before that his shooting has improved this season, and he was a dependable option when Mexico needed points late in the game. He hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. 

“It feels good to get those points,” Thoenen said. “We’ve just to stop turning the ball over and making mistakes.”

Pappas said Thoenen hit “big-time shots” in a “big-time moment” on Thursday. He said Thoenen was confident and had “a green light” to keep shooting. He said Fisher was a calming presence as the senior guard, Groves worked hard inside and Tyrice Byrd didn’t score but pulled down three key rebounds.

Matthews “let the game come to him” to score more points than the two points he had in Kirksville, Pappas said. He pointed to Matthews converting on a drive to the rim up the middle, which gave Mexico momentum in the fourth quarter. 

Holman’s dish to Groves for the game-winning bucket displayed the freshman’s skills, Pappas said. Holman also hit a 3-pointer in the third quarter.

“He’s a good ball handler so that’s why he’s in there — to take care of the basketball,” Pappas said. “It’s good to see him get in the scorebook and play hard.”

Mexico hosted Harrisburg (2-3) on Monday before playing Rolla JV at 2:30 p.m. Friday to begin Rolla’s Holiday Hoops tournament. As the Bulldogs play these games without Benne, Pappas said the Bulldogs need to try to find consistent scorers beyond two players.

“We’ve got to solidify that third and fourth scorer,” Pappas said. “We need to try to get them in double figures every night.”