Mustangs drop rivalry game
Regis wins 67-55.
AURORA – Heading into it, it couldn’t have been much better.
It was an old Parochial League matchup. It’s Class 5A nonleague these days, but so what – it was Mullen at Regis Jesuit. The Raiders gymnasium was full of folks. There were students, teachers, administrators, parents, alumni and others, loyalists who just wanted a glimpse of one of the older Catholic rivalries.
Both programs are headed by coaches who have attained veritable legendary status, Mullen’s Bob Caton and Regis Jesuit’s Ken Shaw, who have combined for nearly 1,300 victories on the level.
And it was hotly contested, fairly cleanly played and came with a wave of ties and lead changes early.
But the host Raiders arose from early shooting problems to run away with a 67-55 decision on Friday night, one in which the Mustangs’ personal woes continued and once again modified a sloppy finish.
While Regis Jesuit rose to 10-7, Mullen dipped to 10-6 and wasn’t happy.
“We couldn’t make the plays,” Caton said. “Players make plays. We put them into position to make them and we didn’t.”
Specifically, Mullen, which has dropped five of its past eight games, had issues with defending and rebounding, as well as at the free-throw line, where it was a dreadful 5-of-13.
“We extended the floor a little bit to try to create a little more pressure, but we just didn’t play some defense,” Caton said.
Plus, turnovers at inopportune times interrupted Mullen momentum, notably getting called for traveling off the dribble five times.
“I knew it was traveling,” Caton said. ‘Fundamentals …”
The Mustangs appeared to battle for a bit despite not having much to show for it, including looking tired and being a step slow on defense. It was obvious in the final totals as Regis Jesuit made only 2-of-11 shots in the first quarter, but 20-of-30 to finish the game.
Mullen’s last lead came late in the second quarter, although it had numerous chances to retake it and/or grab control.
“I don’t even know if we shot any free throws,” Caton said before being informed of his team’s total. “You can’t win that way.”
The Mustangs also shot a combined 9-of-27 from the floor over the first and fourth quarters.
Vaughnn Stitt topped the Mustangs with 12 points and Isaac Ondekane added 11. Brady Parris scored nine.
Regis Jesuit enjoyed balance with four players reaching double figures, topped by 6-foot-9 Daniel Carr’s 20, including three 3-pointers in the third quarter. And the Raiders had just five players score.
“I’ll be surprised if they don’t win (the Continental League) or at least finish second,” Caton said.
Mullen also has little time to regroup – it’s slated to play at Cherry Creek in Greenwood Village in the Centennial League on Saturday at 7 p.m.
REGIS JESUIT 67, MULLEN 55
Mullen 11 13 18 13 -- 55
Regis Jesuit 9 18 20 20 -- 67
Mullen – Davis 2 0-0 6, Stitt 5 0-3 12, White 2 2-2 7, Parris 3 1-1 9, Ondekane 5 1-4 11, Veen 3 0-1 6, Thompson 0 0-0 0, Riepma 0 1-2 1, Beckish 1 0-0 3, Lopez 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 5-13 55.
Regis Jesuit – Safieddine 5 5-5 16, Egloff 4 3-4 11, Carr 6 5-8 21, O’Shaughnessy 3 2-4 8, Wheelock 4 3-4 12, Hamilton 0 0-2 0, Barbera 0 0-0 0, Wolf 0 0-0 0, Galan 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 18-27 67.
3-pt. goals -- Davis 2, Parris 2, Stitt 2, Beckish, White; Carr 3, Safieddine, Wheelock.
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