There wasn’t much time to rest after Mexico’s 70-68 overtime win last Tuesday in Macon.

Mexico vs Hallsville Photo Gallery

The Lady Bulldogs had to host district foe Hallsville the next night and won 62-29 after all 10 players who stepped on the floor for Mexico scored. Mexico finished with 19 steals and 14 assists, and Claire Hudson led with 27 points, six rebounds and four 3-pointers.

Since Mexico (8-6) won by its largest margin of victory, it was able to rest all of its starters for much of the second half. After winning by the tightest margin a day ago, head coach Makenzie Mudd said it was good to see the Lady Bulldogs crank up the defense as the night wore on.

“We definitely started off a little slow because I think we were a little tired,” Mudd said. “We got home late last night, turned around with back to school today and came back to play. I was really impressed with how we were able to pick it up and work everybody on the bench in a lot.”

Mudd said Mexico hadn’t had a game when every player has scored so it was nice that followed the team’s first overtime game and win. She wanted to give those younger and less experienced players some opportunities since the starters were obviously needed a lot in Macon (5-11).

Mexico led Hallsville 34-20 at halftime after outscoring the Lady Indians 21-11 in the second quarter. The steals ballooned to 11 at the break and were more frequent after that, forcing Hallsville (3-10) to have a four-point third quarter.

"They were setting a lot of screens and a lot of pitches we had to try to beat," Mudd said. "At the beginning, we were chasing players instead of jumping off. In the second quarter, we got a lot better when the screen was coming. We were communicating better and getting around it earlier so we could stop the ball without having to chase."

Scottie Smith followed Hudson with nine points and five steals, which tied Kenley Jones’ effort on the defensive end at five steals. Haley Perkins had four steals to go with five rebounds. 

Mexico was consistently finding other girls to score whenever it picked up a steal instead of taking mad dashes in transition. The Lady Bulldogs kicked out for open shots in midrange or from beyond the arc.

“We talked a lot about attacking and kicking, using that inside-out,” Mudd said. “They were running that tight 1-2-2 for a little bit. Then we talked about moving the ball quickly so they had to do a lot of running back and forth, and that opened up some opportunities.”

“We’ve been playing together and working to get each other the ball,” Hudson said. “Last night, we had to fight really hard so everybody was tired. We came out hard tonight even though that fatigue was there.”

Hudson said working together is a big reason she reached 1,000 career points in the Macon victory. The senior led Mexico with 21 points in her latest achievement before she heads to Kirkwood Community College next season. 

The moment was a lot sweeter since Mexico was able to win in overtime, Hudson said, after her sophomore sister Grace Hudson “pitched back” to Hudson for a 3-pointer on the milestone bucket. Grace Hudson had 18 points in the victory to make her one of four Lady Bulldogs in double figures that night along with Alyssa Miller’s 11 points and Kenzie Taylor’s 10 points.

“It’s a big thing we do in Missouri Phenom,” Hudson said. “She dribbled, turned and threw the ball back to me. Being able to score that many points, I definitely couldn’t have done that by myself. I never expected to get 1,000. It’s always been a goal, but I didn’t think I would ever get there.”

Mudd said Hudson is the second player in the seven years she has coached with the program to reach 1,000 career points after current Columbia College Cougar Mya Miller did it a few years ago.

“She’s comfortable with the ball and is willing to shoot outside or attack,” Mudd said. “That’s what has gotten her a lot of her points. She’ll have nights where she’s on from the 3-point line, and she’ll have nights where she’s on with driving and shooting layups. She’s played a lot more than most people with summer ball. She’s more aware of the floor and the opportunities she can have.”

Mexico has another road contest at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Southern Boone (2-10) after playing only four games so far on Gary Filbert Court. Mudd said the Lady Bulldogs are looking forward to their backload of home games in their schedule.

“We’ve had some games where we’ve been a little sluggish, and I think it’s because of the multiple travel nights in one week,” Mudd said. “I’m hoping once we get more of these games mixed in there, we get some better rest.”