A strong first half wasn’t enough as the Dons boys basketball team fell to the Miramonte Matadors, 78-65.

The first quarter was a tight affair, ending with the Mats ahead 19-17. The second quarter offered more of the same, with the Dons trailing just one at halftime, 34-33. Scoring was spread relatively evenly in the first half, with Graham Smith, Jake Davis, Jackson Aris-Dumas, Marcus Robinson, Scott Ruegg, and Tyler Murphy all contributing at least four points apiece.

Early in the third, the Dons briefly knotted the game 37-37. An 11-0 run by the Mats followed, however, and the Dons had to claw back to finish the quarter trailing by four, 55-51. Ruegg handled the scoring load in the quarter, notching thirteen of the Dons eighteen points.

The Mats opened the final stanza sinking six straight free throws and a layup, extending their lead to twelve. From there, the Dons and Mats traded blows, with the Dons’ unable to close the gap.

The Dons’ scoring was led by Ruegg’s 22. Davis and Robinson each pitched in 11, and Smith and Aris-Dumas each contributed 7. Rebounding and blocked shots were led by Davis and Murphy.