Twice in Friday’s West Suburban Gold opener, Leyden cut a double-digit Downers Grove South lead to single digits. The Mustangs made sure the second time was the last.
After Leyden used a 10-2 run to close within 54-46 with 4 minutes 5 seconds left, Downers’ defense stiffened. Leyden did not score again until less than 30 seconds remained, and the Mustangs (5-0) rolled to a 62-48 win.
“Defense is definitely our specialty this year,” said Downers point guard Bryan Mullins, who just missed a triple double with a 12-point, 10-assist, 9-steal night. “Forty-eight points is the most we’ve given up this year. Our defense sparks our offense, and that’s what gets us going.”
Mullins collected his ninth steal of the game by intercepting a pass near midcourt and eventually scoring an uncontested layup with 2:31 to play to give Downers a 60-46 cushion.
Leyden (2-3, 0-1) never led and never trailed by fewer than five after Aaron Jimenez’s jumper made it 25-20 with 2:54 to play until halftime.
Downers, though, scored the next 10 points, capped by a three-pointer from Trey Bowens (game-high 20 points) with 1:01 left until the half. Marcus Green led Leyden with 16 points.
