While the Sparta Spartans couldn't quite beat the Menomonie Mustangs on Tuesday, the three-point margin was a huge improvement compared to the 20-point defeat they were dealt two weeks ago. Sparta fell just short of Menomonie by a score of 80-77. The defeat unfortunately continues a disappointing trend for Sparta in their matchups with Menomonie: they've now lost eight in a row.
When it comes to explaining why Sparta lost, one person who can't be blamed is Gavin Rhead. Despite the final result, he dropped a double-double on 27 points and 13 rebounds. John Rice was another key contributor, scoring 25 points.
Sparta's defeat dropped their record down to 3-9. As for Menomonie, their victory bumped their record up to 4-7.
Sparta will head out on the road to take on La Crosse Central at 7:15 p.m. on Friday. La Crosse Central knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with flashy point totals in its past four games -- so hopefully Sparta likes a good challenge. As for Menomonie, their homestand continues as they prepare to take on Hudson at 7:15 p.m. on January 19th. Hudson presents a significant challenge as they come into the match much higher ranked than Menomonie in Wisconsin (Hudson is ranked 132nd, while Menomonie is ranked 287th).
