By Evan Hamme (January 28, 2003)

The Mustangs rebounded from their consecutive devastating losses with a 50-39 win at home last Friday night against district opponent Madison County. 

The Mustangs overcame a dreadful shooting night from the paint, converting only occasionally from inside the key. The game was tight from the start with Mason building a four-point lead in the first quarter, but could not extend it past that. The Mountaineers fought back, causing numerous lead changes in the first half. Mason took a mere two-point lead after the first half, 21-19. 
 

Out of the locker room following the halftime, the Mustangs were confident and they showed it by making two three-point field goals. The Mustangs never looked back. Mason built a lead as high as 15 points. The Mustangs were led by junior Evan Hamme with 16 points (12 from behind the three point arc, converting on 4 of 6 three-point attempts) and 11 rebounds, followed by senior guard Mark Murchie who had 9 points and 12 rebounds. Mason’s next game is away at Rappahanock County on Tuesday night.

Mason head coach Dave Garrison drives home some  key points during a time out   in Friday night's 50-39  victory at home against Madison County.  (Photo by Kory Lloyd)

The win over the Mountaineers came at a good time since the Mustangs had fallen short of victory for the second game in a row when they lost 58-54 to the fifth ranked team in the state, Clarke County, on the Eagles’ home court last Tuesday.
 

In that game Mason began slowly and fell behind by eight early and the Eagles led by nine at the half. Mason was out-rebounded early, allowing the athletic Clarke team to grab 18 offensive rebounds. These gave the Eagles many second-shot attempts.

After halftime, the Mustangs put together a comeback built on defensive intensity, which began to pay off in the fourth quarter, but fell short by four points.

Mason head coach Dave Garrison was unhappy with the Mustangs’ performance in the Eagles’ game and told the team it needed to better prepare mentally before each game to avoid lapses like the ones in the first quarter. In the Eagles’ game, the Mustangs were led by Matt Williams with 22 points, followed by Andrew Fauntleroy’s 12.

Mason plays away tonight at Rappahannock.