'Stangs drop rivalry game

 

It certainly will not go into Parochial annals as one of the better entries in the storied rivalry as the two programs have had their issues in the 2019-20 season, including losing streaks of nine games for each group as well as an aggregate mark of 8-23.

No doubt, it has been difficult for Regis Jesuit and Mullen.

But on Saturday night, the stands were nearly full, the student sections rocked and the effort and intensity were there for probably Colorado’s best Catholic head-to-head, adversarial meeting.

So when Regis Jesuit left Hutchison Fieldhouse with a 70-55 victory, it wasn’t overly surprising as the Raiders have downed the Mustangs 13 consecutive times, last losing in 2006, or in the year of the most-recent Class 5A championship for Mullen.

Still, a struggling Mullen, now 3-12, put forth effort for coach Bob Caton, if not sound play.

“We just have to get better and keep working at it, and putting them into positions that they can be successful,” the coach said. “The effort was good … but we dug a hole. We have to correct that. We’re trying.”

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Mustangs cut the deficit to 10 points, but got no closer.

Playing from behind proved difficult and the Raiders (5-11) protected the ball and converted 19 free throws to four for the Mustangs.

Senior Diallo Thompson scored a career-high 23 points for Mullen and junior Brayden Carter added 13, but the Mustangs suffered through a series of miscues early, such as poor passing and losing possession in the lane and out front, and playing from behind proved too taxing.

Plus, the Mustangs were hurt inside again on follow-ups and rebounding, and got caught flat-footed when the Raiders had success driving down the lane.

Regis Jesuit led by as many as 18 points and has won four of its past five games.

“We have to put them in simple situations where they can be successful,” Caton said in trying to keep his players upbeat.

The Mustangs will resume Centennial League play on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at home against Grandview that will complete the first go-round in the loop’s home-and-away format. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m.

 

Regis Jesuit – Wolf 3 5-6 13, Stoughton 2 7-10 11, Paul 12 5-6 33, Bergman 1 1-2 3, Nanke 1 0-0 2, Hamilton 1 1-2 3, Van Sickle 2 0-0 5. Totals 22 19-26 70.

Mullen – Thompson 8 2-2 23, Lopez 1 0-0 3, Bond 2 0-0 5, Heffern 0 0-0 0, Carter 5 2-3 13, Berg 3 0-1 7, Smith 2 0-0 4, Dominguez 0 0-0 0, DePizzol 0 0-0 0, Essex 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 4-6 55.

3-pt. goals – Paul 4, Van Sickle, Wolf 2; Thompson 5, Berg, Bond, Carter, Lopez. Fouled out – Bond.