By Evan Hamme (January 20, 2003)

The George Mason Mustangs experienced a devastating defeat against district rival Brentsville on Friday night. The 58-50 overtime loss ended a four-game Mason winning streak and brought Mason down to a 4-2 record in the district, 9-6 overall. 

Mason knew this game would be challenging, having lost to Brentsville in a holiday tournament earlier this year. In that game, Brentsville took control from the beginning, taking a 20-1 lead after the first quarter and going on to win easily. 
 

Mason was much more determined this time. At the half, Mason was down by a mere one point, 20-21. An energized Mason team came out of the locker room with overwhelming confidence. In the third quarter, Mason built its greatest lead of the game after senior forward Robert Olson hit a big three-pointer and junior Evan Hamme was fouled and made his shot sending him to the foul line. After his missed free-throw attempt, Mason could not continue to build a commanding lead. The Brentsville team answered back with a three-pointer of its own and the game was again a two-point battle. The game saw a number of ties, including the score at the end of regulation, 42-42. After winning the overtime tip-off for possession, the Mustangs again found themselves in a position to take a lead, but after a missed field goal attempt the Tigers secured the rebound. Brentsville then hit their final three field goals and never looked back.

Senior Andrew Fauntleroy has been a big reason for Mason's  sucesses  in the first half of the varsity basketball season.  Against the New School   last week, Andrew scored 25 points. He had 12 points in a losing effort   Friday night against  Brentsville. (Photo by Eric Powell)

Fouls proved to be a problem all night for the Mustangs as their opponent had 21 more attempts from the free-throw line. Juniors Matt Williams, Evan Hamme and Reggie Whittaker all fouled out in the overtime period. After a number of technical foul calls, the Tigers had made 12 foul shots and secured their 8-point victory. 

The Mustangs were led by senior guard Andrew Fauntleroy with 12 points, followed by forwards Robert Olson and Evan Hamme with 11 and 10 respectively. The George Mason JV team won in another close game after a last second shot made by sophomore Will Straub to win by 2 in regulation. The Mustangs face another challenging district opponent, Clarke County, away on Tuesday night, JV at 6:00 and varsity at 7:30.

The heartbreaking loss to the Tigers followed a stellar victory at home last Tuesday against the Strasburg Rams. After a rough start, Mason outscored the Rams 52-29 in the last three quarters. Although Strasburg had jumped to an early 16-10 lead by the end of the first quarter, Mason fought back to lead 24-21 at the half. The Mustangs went on to win 62-47.

The Mustangs were led by Matt Williams, Evan Hamme and Robert Olson who had 20, 18, and 16 points respectively. Olson hit three of four three-point attempts in the first half to help Mason come back. Hamme pulled down 15 rebounds and Williams shot nine of 16 from the field. Despite foul trouble, senior Andrew Fauntleroy played well at point guard while Reggie Whittaker and Mark Murchie gave Mason much needed energy and defensive pressure.

Prior to the Strasburg game, the Mustangs played a non-district game against a hard-working squad from the New School in DC. In the first half of that game, the New School took a 13-10 lead over Mason after the Mustangs turned the ball over eight times in the first quarter. Soon after, the Mustangs got back on their feet and went on a 15-0 run and took a commanding 12-point lead at the half.

But the New School would not quit and came back to within three points of the Mustangs. Mason coach Dave Garrison then called a time-out to calm his players down. Mason then stayed in the game, making most of its foul shots near the end of the game to ensure the victory. 

Against the New School, senior Andrew Fauntleroy led all scorers with 25 points.