Basketball Recap: Nucla Falls Despite Big Games from Brycen Rummel and Slade Gillen

Nucla lost against Plateau Valley back in February of 2024, and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Saturday. The Nucla Mustangs took a 51-40 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Plateau Valley Cowboys. The matchup marked the Mustangs' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Brycen Rummel

Steals

02/22/25 @ Plateau Valley	4
02/18/25 @ Dolores	2
02/11/25 @ Ridgway	2
02/08/25 vs Dove Creek	3
02/07/25 @ Telluride	4
+ 32 more games

Nucla's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Slade Gillen, who went 6-for-11 en route to 16 points and six boards, and Brycen Rummel, who almost dropped a double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds. Rummel has been hot for a while, having also posted two or more steals the last 37 times he's played.

Plateau Valley got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Jack Vig out in front who dropped a double-double with 13 points and ten boards. Cash Salazar was another key player, putting up 15 points and eight rebounds.

Nucla has traveled a rocky road recently having lost three of their last four contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 14-7 record this season. Plateau Valley pushed their record up to 18-1 with the victory, which was their 15th straight at home dating back to last season.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Nucla will host Ouray at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Nucla is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 54.8 points per game this season. As for Plateau Valley, they will look to defend their home court on Tuesday against Cedaredge at 7:00 p.m. Plateau Valley is facing Cedaredge at the right time seeing as Cedaredge is stuck on a three-game losing streak.