Mustangs Drop Freedom 61-47 in Home Opener

The George Mason Mustangs started the night cold but warmed up to beat Freedom High 61-47 in Wednesday’s home opener.

Mason was down 11-9 at the end of the first period and fought back to take the lead scoring 18 of their points off three-pointers. Head coach Chris Capannola said shooting from deep is part of his team’s offense, which included two unlikely shots from senior Dimitri Venets Wednesday. Venets was a perfect two for two from behind the arc including a buzzer beater to end the first half and put the Mustangs up 29-22. Capannola said for each three-pointer Venets makes, he can take another shot. Venets finished with 6-points.

“I was thinking I really want to make this so we can have momentum going into the half,” Venets said about the shot.

The Eagles played physical against the Mustangs fighting for rebounds and pushing around Mason players in the paint. Capannola said his players will have to look at film and see how they’re getting pushed around and work on getting tougher before opening Bull Run District play.

“We have to get more physical in the post,” Capannola said.

Senior Philippe Griffiths (13-points in the game) said the team has room for improvement and will build on their two early wins. He said the Mustangs have a solid team and they’re trying to get last year’s success out of their heads and focus on this season.

“We haven’t done anything yet,” Griffiths said. “We have potential to be good but that’s it. It’s just potential.”

FREE THROWS

-       Griffiths and Nate Ogle (6 for 6 from the free throw line) lead all scores with 13-points each. Noel Obusan scored 7-points.

-       As a team, the Mustangs went 16 for 18 from the free throw line.

-       The Lady Mustangs traveled to Freedom and won 59-45. Stephanie Cheney scored 24-points and grabbed nine rebounds and senior Lauren Kane scored 10-points and grabbed six rebounds.