The Wahkiakum Mules got off to a slow start and were never quite able to recover in a tough-to-take 63-52 loss at home Monday night against the visiting Mossyrock Vikings.

After committing turnovers in four of their first five possessions, the Mules quickly found themselves trailing and were forced to play catch-up the entire game.

Starting point guard Jon Chambers was ineligible, and various players filled in at unfamiliar positions. Leading a balanced scoring attack for the Mules was Wyatt Parker with 10 points followed by Brett Chaput, Ryan Helms, and Lars Blix all contributing eight points apiece, and Brandon Fudge and Joel Nicolazzi tossing in five points apiece. Sophomore Peter Wieler, in his first significant varsity action, provided the team a late fourth quarter spark with eight points in a couple minute stretch.

Chaput pulled in a team-high eight boards; Blix and Parker each grabbed four. Parker also led the team with five assists, and Zach Pierce led with two steals.

The Mule junior varsity team also fell short against the Vikings on Monday night, 57-52.

Travis Wegdahl was the high man for the Mules with 16 points, with Steven Doumit adding 11, Eli McElroy six, Shane Souvenir and Mike McKinley five apiece, and Mitchel Dault and Collan Riley each with two. Souvenir also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists while Doumit pulled in six boards, handed out two assists, and had three steals. Wegdahl also had three steals, grabbed five rebounds and had four assists.

The 2-2 Mules were at Winlock yesterday (Wednesday); they go Adna Friday and Naselle next Wednesday before returning home on December 30 for a rematch with the Kalama Chinooks.