It was a third-quarter implosion which derailed the Yellowjackets up in Lone Oak last Friday. Mineola dropped the game against Lone Oak 55-36.

The Yellowjackets experienced a typical East Texas home court rally in that third quarter. The two teams took the court after the half-time break with Lone Oak holding a two-point edge. 

The first half had been a measured affair, with teams giving and taking equally. Mineola had begun the game with the advantage. They attacked the basket relentlessly, created turnovers and dominated the boards. At the end of one quarter, the Jackets led 11-7. 

After a long stretch with no scoring to begin the second quarter, Lone Oak went on a 7-point run. Mineola managed only six points in the quarter, but a Zane Phillips score off an inbound play, an Ainsley Steward fall-away jumper and two free throws by Colton McMahon kept Mineola close at the half.

Then came the third quarter. Lone Oak opened by hitting a 3-pointer. Two consecutive scores by Caden Rupert kept it a 1-point game midway through the quarter. 

In the final 3:50 of the third quarter, the Buffaloes scored 14 unanswered points. They scored just about every way possible – with a floater from the lane, on a break, inside, with a jumper and at the buzzer with a long 3-pointer.

The final quarter seemed to spin out of control for the Jackets, as a sense of desperation crept into their game. That, combined with a hot shooting hand from Lone Oak, sealed the outcome. 

The next chance to catch the Yellowjackets in action will be on Tuesday, Dec. 3 when they host the Red Raiders of Winnsboro.