Bounce-back game: 'Stangs beat back Creek
Mullen wins slow-pace league game 44-36 behind Gallegos, Perez; despite dropping from top spot in 4A poll, Mustangs sweep 5A Cherry Creek for the first time since 2009.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE – Consider it as a bounce-back game for Mullen, a hard-fought, important one.
Three days after falling to Class 5A No. 1 and nationally ranked Grandview for a second time in the new Season B, the Mustangs had a rematch with Cherry Creek, Colorado’s largest school and the last team to win the big-school championship (in 2019).
It was a struggle, a tester with lots of defense and a character-builder as Mullen won the difficult roadie 44-36 at Kirby Lyle Gymnasium in the Centennial League.
Mullen, 7-2 overall and in league, is No. 5 in 4A after somehow dropping from the top spot (and gaining the most first-place votes) following the second Grandview loss. Cherry Creek is 3-6, 3-6.
Despite leading by just 18-16 at halftime, Mullen shook off a slow second quarter (five points) to keep the Bruins chasing and beat them for a second time in a season for the first time since 2009.
Junior Gracie Gallegos led all scorers with 21 points, including four 3-pointers. Another junior, Imani Perez, added 10 points to match her season high, which was in the first game against Cherry Creek, a 57-22 home victory.
Mullen will resume play on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at home against Smoky Hill, tip-off at 7:15 p.m.
MULLEN 44, CHERRY CREEK 36
Mullen 13 5 14 12 – 44
Cherry Creek 8 8 10 10 -- 36
Mullen – Pohs 1 0-0 2, Martinez 0 0-0 0, Dominguez 2 1-2 5, Oates-Stamm 2 0-0 4, Van Horn 1 0-0 2, Perez 5 0-0 10, Gallegos 6 5-9 21. Totals 17 6-11 44.
Cherry Creek – Wrede 2 0-0 6, McDavid 1 0-2 2, Smith 0 0-0 0, Kyle 4 2-4 11, Leach 0 1-2 1, Johnson 1 0-1 2, L. Christianson 1 0-0 2, Gordon 4 4-4 12, K. Christianson 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 7-11 36.
3-pt. goals – Gallegos 4; Wrede 2, Kyle.
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