Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Artesia trailed 13-12 in the first quarter but picked up the pace as the game wore on and defeated the Moriarty Pintos 69-32 Jan. 4 at the Bulldog Pit.

“They didn’t have any energy,” Artesia head coach Michael Mondragon said of the Bulldogs’ opening quarter performance.

Saturday’s game was the first of 2025 after the Bulldogs ended 2024 Dec. 28 with a 54-50 win over Farmington to take third place in the Hobbs Holiday Tournament.

The Bulldogs led Moriarty 23-18 halfway through the second period and stretched the lead to 35-18 by halftime. Artesia coasted in the second half, outscoring the Pintos 34-14.

Guard Braylon Vega led the Bulldogs with 20 points and Charlie Campbell scored 15.

Artesia opened the season Dec. 5 with a 65-29 victory over Kirtland Central in the Artesia City of Champions Classic, and Mondragon said the Bulldogs have been improving while compiling a 7-4 record.

As the season moves along, the coach said, the Bulldogs will focus on defense and rebounding.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 and can be followed on X @MSmithartesianm.