Mustangs Fail in Bid For Bull Run Title

A rough stretch in the fourth quarter proved fatal and provided the ultimate difference between to evenly matched teams before a spirited crowd in the George Mason High School Gymnasium.

Strasburg ratcheted up its defense down the stretch and when Mason failed to convert its late-game free throws, the Rams pulled away to a 62-47 victory to clinch the Bull Run regular season championship on the Mustangs’ Senior Night.

“For some reason we were worn out in the fourth quarter,” Mason Head Coach Dan Wilkie said. “Strasburg had an answer for everything we threw at them. They played a heck of a game.”

The Rams pulled out to a 10-0 lead to start the game before a free throw by junior Alex Pender put the Mustangs on the board. After a Strasburg free throw pushed the lead to 13-1, Mason used a 19-6 run to take the lead 20-19 on a three-pointer by Maggie O’Toole with six minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Pender played well in the post, taking deft entry passes from O’Toole and converting them into 15 points for the game. O’Toole scored 13 points of her own in the loss. Freshman Meredith Hamme added eight points.

The Mustangs held a 26-24 lead at the half, but relinquished it early in the third quarter. While Mason would pull back within two points several times over the final two quarters, the Rams never trailed again. Wilkie sited the play of his seniors, who were honored in a pre-game ceremony.

“We had a great bunch of seniors,” Wilkie said. “They played with a lot of spirit and heart and unfortunately we couldn’t get a win for them on their night.”

The team’s seniors include Christina KirkBride, Katerina Zissios, Claudia Daisley, Alison Van Pelt, Katlyn Rose McCully and Lena Griffin. The loss gives the Mustangs the No. 2 seed and a first round bye in the district playoffs. Mason will meet the winner of Tuesday’s Clarke County-Rappahannock game Thursday, Feb. 17 at home.

Mike Hume may be emailed at mhume@fcnp.com