Basketball Game Preview: Nucla Mustangs vs. Dolores Bears

The Nucla Mustangs will head out on the road to square off against the Dolores Bears at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Nucla is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 55.4 points per game this season.

Nucla is headed into Tuesday's contest hungry for a win as their strong season has now been derailed by two straight losses. They were three points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 51-48 heartbreaker at the hands of Ridgway. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Mustangs have suffered since December 2, 2024.

Brycen Rummel

Points

02/11/25 @ Ridgway	26
02/08/25 vs Dove Creek	20
02/07/25 @ Telluride	18
01/30/25 vs Mancos	15
01/28/25 @ Dove Creek	25
01/24/25 vs Dolores	16

Nucla might have lost, but man, Brycen Rummel was a machine: he went 10-for-20 on his way to 26 points in addition to seven rebounds and five assists. The game was Rummel's sixth in a row with at least 15 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Slade Gillen, who posted four points along with ten boards and three blocks.

Meanwhile, Dolores suffered their biggest loss since December 3, 2024 on Saturday. They came up short against Dove Creek, falling 68-48. The Bears haven't had much luck with the Bulldogs recently, as the team has come up short the last four times they've met.

Dolores' defeat dropped their record down to 6-14. As for Nucla, their loss dropped their record down to 13-6.

Nucla strolled past Dolores in their previous matchup back in January by a score of 55-37. The rematch might be a little tougher for Nucla since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.