At what first seemed like it would be an easy win, the Mineola Mustangs had to fight for a close 49-47 victory over the Island Tree Bulldogs on Dec. 15 at Mineola High School.
After a 12-0 run to start the game for the Mustangs, Mineola needed all of senior Steven Gessner’s game-high 24 points to knock off a stubborn Island Trees team that stuck around despite trailing for most of the game.
The Bulldogs scored eight straight points to combat Gessner and the Mustangs’ hot start but Mineola went on another 6-0 run to take a nine-point lead into the half behind their big men as Gesser and fellow senior Michael Pfleger combined for 17 points through the first two quarters.
The second half started promisingly enough for the Mustangs as they built their lead up to as many as 13 points mid-way through the third quarter. While the score stood at 34-21, the Bulldogs again went on to score seven straight points following a few Mineola turnovers to cut the lead to just six points before the final quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Mustangs finally relinquished the lead for the first time in the game as Island Tree’s Joseph Santoro went on a hot streak to give the Bulldogs a 43-40 lead.
Eventually as they battled back, the Mustangs found themselves trailing, 47-46 with under a minute left. Mineola relied on their star, Gessner, to hit two clutch field goals to retake a 48-47 lead. Senior Eric Guardado added a free throw a few seconds later to add to the lead.
The game came down to Island Tree’s last possession, where the Mustangs defense held strong to avoid a potential buzzer beater that could have sent the game into overtime.
The win came after a two-game losing streak for Mineola and brought the Mustangs back to an even record 2-2. Mineola High School’s men varsity basketball team next faces off against Mepham High School on Dec. 30.
