Fort Worth Wyatt falls to Memphis Mitchell

By Kevin Casas

Special to the Star-Telegram

Saturday's showcase finale of the DFW Basketball Challenge turned into a game of keep-away mixed with a free-throw shooting contest.

Memphis (Tenn.) Mitchell slowed things to a grinding halt, kept control of the ball and played any style Fort Worth Wyatt wanted in a 59-48 win at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center.

For Wyatt (7-6), it was the first game in eight days, and coach Rodney McFadden said he was worried about finding some rhythm.

"That's what a layoff does," he said. "I thought we could get through with the score tied at half, but you have to give it to this team, they were physical and beat us on the backboards."

There were 48 free throws between both teams, yet somehow Khalil Spencer managed to post 15 points and five steals for Mitchell. His effort earned game MVP honors, but the real difference was game control.

When easy transition baskets were available, Mitchell (5-5) converted. But the pace of game was more methodical as the Tigers worked the ball inside early.

Spencer's 3-pointer late in the third quarter gave Mitchell a 36-31 lead and capped an 11-4 run. The Tigers wouldn't look back.

Wyatt overcame a dreadful 1 for 10 shooting stretch with six field goals in the second quarter to tie the game 21-21 at halftime.

From there, though, Wyatt's touch went cold again. The Chaparrals made only 16 field goals and shot 31 percent.

That was a recipe for disaster against Mitchell's full-court pressure and zone defense.

"I thought at times we played that pressure OK," McFadden said. "But we just had too many slow stretches. This is one of those games that we should be playing in."

Andrew Nunley led Wyatt with 17 points and Kendrick Salone had 11.

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