The North Moore Mustangs dropped their first two games in the Courier-Tribune Christmas Invitational in Asheboro.

The Mustangs played Eastern Randolph in Tuesday's seventh-place game. Results of the game were not available by deadline.

Yadkin Valley foe Jordan-Matthews (4-6) defeated the Mustangs in a consolation bracket game on Monday. The Mustangs (3-8) struggled with the Jets' pressure defense, succumbing to their conference rival 53-36.

J-M held a 31-24 lead entering the fourth quarter and then J-M scored 11 of the first 13 points to push the margin to 42-26 and cruised to the victory.

The two teams will match up again on Jan. 2.

In the opening game of the tournament the Mustangs dropped a 57-40 decision to Providence Grove.

The Mustangs battled back from a large early-game deficit to trim the Providence Grove (4-5) advantage to a single point with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But the Patriots responded with a 9-2 run to regain a comfortable margin.

Shakora Brower and Lashai Thompson each scored 10 points in the loss to the Patriots.

In the opening two games of the tournament the Mustangs struggled shooting the basketball and committed more than 20 turnovers in each game.