Riley Thurman and Mya Miller set a goal for themselves as a tandem before the start of Friday night’s game at Kirksville: they would combine to score 30 points.

They didn’t. Instead, Miller recorded 19 and Thurman 12 – 31 points – as Mexico downed the Tigers 39-28.

“Riley just had fast break after fast break,” Alexis Willer said.

Most of these came in a fast paced spell that began midway through the second quarter and continued well into the third. Miller, Thurman and the rest of coach Ed Costley’s squad trampled Kirksville 19-0 over that stretch.

The inside action was critical. Usually prolific from three point range, the Bulldogs could only manage 1 for 12 on the night.

“We didn’t shoot well, but defensively we did a good job,” Costley observed.

Miller had 10 rebounds to notch a double double. Thurman pulled down 6. The team switched to a 1-3-1 zone that broke the rhythm Kirksville had established in the game’s early going.

The Tigers edged ahead in the first 11-10. But the situation changed dramatically as the Bulldogs shut the gate.

Mexico allowed just 2 points in the second and 3 in the third.

“The first half was a little rocky,” Thurman said. “But we will get it done.”

“We usually make a lot of threes, but they weren’t falling,” Willer added. “As long as we have defense, we can get back into the game.”

And go on a roll, as well.

With two minutes remaining in the game, Mexico had stepped out to a 19 point lead and had the game in hand. Kirksville did not quit, however, and made a late run.

In addition to the Miller-Thurman show, Riley Blevins dropped in 4 points. Taylor DeMint added 3 and Willer 1.

Despite the domination in the paint by the 30-plus duo, Thurman said team effort is the key this season.

“It’s just a different feel – more of a ‘we’ over ‘me’ situation,” she said. “It’s a great feeling.”