Mustangs run into a good Eaglecrest
Mullen can't match Eaglecrest physically and intangibly -- Raptors, in their first home game in the new Season B, take a 79-58 victory in league; Carter goes for 26.
CENTENNIAL – The conundrum that is the Season B during the coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic continued on Friday night for Mullen.
While some fans are being permitted into the games oth at home and on the road, the Mustangs faced Eaglecrest, which was playing its first home game of the season. And the Mustangs kept their pattern of winning a game, then losing one.
In falling to Eaglecrest 79-58, Mullen was back to .500 (3-3 overall and in league).
The Mustangs had difficulties, including outside the box score, head coach Bob Caton said.
“It seemed like they got every loose ball, every rebound,” the coach said of the Raptors.
Eaglecrest (3-2, 3-0) also proved more physical in the paint and hit open 3-pointers in bunches.
“They shot it well,” Caton said. “This was (the Raptors’) first home game (after COVID-19 problems) and they were very excited. That’s the echelon we want to get to, that’s the level we have to have. We have to play one of our better games and we can’t have unforced turnovers.”
Mullen hung around for stretches before a couple of 10-0 runs by Eaglecrest maintained its lead.
Overall, senior Brayden Carter again competed well inside in going for a game-high 26 points (and a handful of dunks) and Mullen enjoyed the return of junior Micah Leslie (12 points and back from a concussion), but the Raptors’ wave of size and athletes inside was augmented nicely by eight 3-pointers, smothering perimeter defense and catching the Mustangs flatfooted at times on defense.
Basically trading baskets down the stretch didn’t cut into a 41-25 halftime deficit.
“We’ll come back,” Caton said. “We’ll be all right.”
Mullen will complete its first go-round in league on Wednesday, Feb. 17, against Arapahoe at Hutchison Fieldhouse, 7:15 p.m.
EAGLECREST 79, MULLEN 58
Mullen 12 13 18 13 – 58
Eaglecrest 20 21 19 19 – 79
Mullen – Lopez 3 0-0 8, Berg 1 0-0 3, Heffern 1 0-0 2, M. Leslie 6 0-0 12, Carter 9 7-9 26, Dominguez 1 0-0 3, J. Leslie 0 0-0 0, Schmitt 1 0-0 2, Smith 0 2-2 2. Totals 22 9-11 58.
Eaglecrest – Naillieux 0 0-0 0, Robinson 8 0-1 17, Epperson 1 2-2 5, Legette 1 2-2 4, Price 7 1-1 15, Taylor 2 2-2 7, Washington 5 1-1 13, Elmoutaouakkil 3 1-4 8, Barger 2 0-0 4, Sanders 2 0-0 6. Totals 31 9-13 79.
3-pt. goals – Lopez 2, Berg, Carter, Sanders 2, Washington 2, Dominguez; Elmoutaouakkil, Epperson, Robinson, Taylor.
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