Lopez, Mustangs hang on against Wheat Ridge

It was nice to get that first one out of the way.

On Saturday evening, Mullen outlasted Wheat Ridge 59-54 in its Season Kick Off Tournament at Hutchison Fieldhouse for its first victory of the season.

It came at the end of a trying week. It was after its season-opening 58-56 loss to Columbine on the road that was decided on a throw-in at the buzzer and Friday’s debacle that resulted in a 71-66 setback to Lakewood in which it led by 19 points in the first half and double figures at halftime.

And it came in fitting fashion – Josh Lopez drilled a 3-pointer from the left side with 9.3 seconds to play for the winning points.

“It’s always good to get that first one,” head coach Bob Caton said. “And we played hard.”

Tied at 54, Mullen inbounded after a timeout and Lopez, who saw an opening, couldn’t resist.

“I just saw it and shot it,” the sophomore said.

Caton admitted it wasn’t exactly what he had drawn up, but said “it was probably the best look we would have gotten.”

After a Wheat Ridge turnover, sophomore Ethan Heffern cashed two free throws to leave no doubt.

The Mustangs enjoyed scoring balance. Junior Braden Carter was tops with 17 points. Lopez had 12, and Sean Berg and Jackson Bond had 10 each.

Mullen will have a Denver Prep League week of sorts – it will host George Washington on Wednesday, 7 p.m., and Abraham Lincoln on Saturday, 5 p.m.