Basketball Recap: Memphis Takes Loss Despite Strong Performances from Armando Saenz and Abel Villa

Memphis was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They were six points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 59-53 heartbreaker at the hands of the Wheeler Mustangs. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Mustangs this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 61-41 back in January.

Abel Villa

Steals

02/07/25 vs Wheeler	6
11/21/24 vs Lefors	6
11/15/24 @ Kelton	6
01/21/25 @ Wellington	5
12/07/24 vs Sanford-Fritch	5
+ 20 more games

Abel Villa and Armando Saenz certainly did their best on Friday to avoid the loss. Villa posted 18 points in addition to seven rebounds and six steals, while Saenz went 7 of 14 en route to 20 points. Villa has become a key player for Memphis: the team is 4-2 when he posts at least five steals, but 8-11 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Dresden Johnson, who earned six points.

Memphis now has a losing record at 12-13. As for Wheeler, their win ended a six-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 6-10.

Coming up, Memphis will head out to take on Quanah at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Memphis is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 55.9 points per game this season. As for Wheeler, it'll be an old-fashioned rodeo when the Mustangs duke it out with the Broncos at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday.