MIDDLETOWN — Mia Hoogendoorn scored 11 of her team-high 18 points in the first quarter as the Middletown Mustangs took care of business in the first half en route to a 71-37 win over the Kelseyville Knights in North Central League I varsity girls basketball action Wednesday night in Middletown.

The league-leading Mustangs (7-0 league, 12-5 overall) outscored the Knights (1-6, 1-12), who were playing their third game in as many nights, 38-9 in the first half.

Middletown had four players score in double digits. Besides the freshman Hoogendoorn, Jaidyn Brown scored a season-high 17 points, Skylar Williams added a season-high 16, and Paige Astley had 12. The Mustangs made seven 3-pointers, three of them by Brown.

The Mustangs were able to get out and run against the Knights, who suited up only six players. With a deep bench, Middletown was able to keep up the pressure both on offense and defense, wearing down the outmanned Kelseyville squad, according to Middletown head coach Andy Brown.

"We forced the turnovers on defense," Brown said. "It took us a few minutes to get going, but once we did we were able to get up and down the court pretty well."

Middletown still has nine league games remaining although there's a possibility it won't be able to play all 16 before the regular season ends on Feb. 12. Even so, the Mustangs are sitting in the driver's seat as far as the league race is concerned. Their two closest pursuers in the race — Fort Bragg (8-2) and Willits (5-2) — both have two losses and the Mustangs have no games remaining against Fort Bragg, who they've beaten twice. With a win Saturday at home against Willits, Middletown will move one huge step closer to the NCL I championship. Middletown and Willits play a second time next Tuesday in Willits.

Brown said the Mustangs are primed for a busy stretch run.

"We're conditioned pretty well here," he said of playing a high number of games in the next nine days.

Larue Furlani's 17 points led the Knights and Emily Sandoval had 12 points and five assists. Kelseyville went 10-for-15 from the foul line.

"Middletown is a tough team to beat," Kelseyville head coach Bonnie Thomasson said. "We play them for our last game at home next Saturday (Feb. 12)."

In junior varsity action, Middletown defeated Kelseyville 32-8 behind 14 points from Bella Santiago, eight from Brooklyn Wood and seven from Abby Tacla.

Middletown is back in action Friday in Cloverdale before returning home Saturday against Willits. Kelseyville plays Clear Lake in Lakeport on Friday and travels to Willits on Sunday.