The George Mason High School girls varsity basketball team defended its home court from the cross-town rival Raiders last Friday night, rallying from a 12-point deficit to collect the third win of the Mustangs’ young season, 58-48.

Bailey Walton led the Mason scoring effort with a team-high 25 points, while Annie Zweighaft chipped in with 10 of her own. The Mustangs held a big advantage on the boards, led by Kim Kenny’s 10 rebounds. Nicole Mitchell pulled down nine caroms, while Ashley Thompson hauled in seven to complement her nine points.

“I was really proud of our effort,” Mason Head Coach Bill Broderick said of the win. “We didn’t give up and we fought hard to the end.”

That effort was characteristic of the Mustangs Tuesday night game at Potomac Falls as well. Trailing by 18 points in the fourth quarter, Mason cut the lead to just three with 53 seconds to go, but could not find the killing blow, ultimately succumbing to the final score of 42-37.

“We need to play with the intensity that we played with in the fourth quarter for all four quarters,” Broderick said.

Walton again led the team with 14 points, adding six rebounds and five steals in a solid all-around effort. Zweighaft tallied 11 points and four steals of her own, while Ashley Thompson pulled down eight rebounds and swiped the ball six times from Potomac Falls ball handlers.

The Mustangs face Briar Woods at home on Monday, Dec. 18 before taking on another local AAA foe in Falls Church High School next Thursday, Dec. 21.