2nd-half trouble for 'Stangs
Overland goes for a 47-point second half in a 68-51 defeat of Mullen in the Centennial League; Mustangs fall to 5-7, 1-3.
It got away from Mullen in the second half on Saturday afternoon.
After a couple of slower, tighter quarters, the Mustangs were hit for 47 points after halftime in a 68-51 loss to Overland in the Centennial League at Hutchison Fieldhouse.
Mullen dipped to 5-7 overall, 1-3 in league. The Trailblazers’ record is deceptive – 3-9, 2-1 – as they opened with four consecutive Colorado powerhouses before competing in a demanding out-of-state tournament.
“They’re awfully quick and they protected the rim,” Mustangs head coach Bob Caton said.
The Mustangs led the slower-paced half 26-21 and it could have been a larger gap if not for the beginning of issues at the rim. They missed a rash of close-in attempts, turned cold from the perimeter and couldn’t get past Overland’s pressure defense and superior height.
“We missed some easy shots,” Caton said. He realized his guys made the moves to get inside the paint “and as a guard you know there are shot-blockers in there and it always messes with you, especially when you don’t see it every day in practice.”
Overland outscored the Mustangs 47-25 over the final two quarters.
“It was hard to get open on shots outside,” Caton said. “(The Trailblazers) are long and they played good defense.”
Sophomore guard Jordan Leslie topped Mullen with 14 points. Josh Lopez scored 13. Ethan Heffern and eddie Roth each added eight.
The Mustangs will resume play on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Cherokee Trail in Aurora, 7 p.m.
OVERLAND 68, MULLEN 51
Overland 11 10 19 28 -- 68
Mullen 11 15 10 15 -- 51
Overland – Kelsey 1 10-10 13, Abdur Razaaq 6 9-11 21, Sultan 1 0-1 2, Harp 10 1-2 22, Humphrey 1 0-0 2, Ali 2 2-4 8, Altaieb 0 0-0 0, Mursal 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 22-29 68.
Mullen -- J. Leslie 3 7-9 14, Lopez 5 2-3 13, Heffern 3 2-4 8, Smith 1 0-0 2, Diasselliss 1 0-0 2, Lay 1 0-0 2, Roth 3 0-0 8, Jerez 1 0-0 2, Castillo 0 0-0 0, Carlton 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 11-16 51.
3 pt. goals – Ali 2, Harp, Kelsey; Roth 2, J. Leslie, Lopez.
© 2020 Mullen High School. All Rights Reserved.