Mustangs build lead, hang on late to advance

Published 5:06 pm Tuesday, February 13, 2018

The Isabella Mustangs cleared the hump that was the sub-regional in girls basketball with a 68-64 home win over Winterboro on Feb. 12.

Advancing past the sub-regionals had been a goal of Isabella’s since it lost in the same round on its home court a year ago.

Isabella led at the end of each quarter but had to survive a late surge of momentum from Winterboro.

The long ball was a major part of Winterboro’s success, as it knocked down 11 three-pointers on the night, including four in both the second and fourth quarters.

In comparison, the Mustangs only converted one shot from beyond the arc in the game.

However, Isabella was able to cancel out Winterboro’s three-point production with superb guard play.

Synia Chattman did her usual thing and led all scorers with 32 points, nearly half of the Mustangs’ point production on the night.

Kiara Ford, Lexi Owens and Sophia Underwood combined to score 33 points.

Isabella jumped out to a 24-13 lead at the end of the first quarter and led 43-32 at halftime.

With the win, Isabella advances to the class 1A regional semifinals against Westminster-Oak Mountain at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome in Montgomery beginning at 3 p.m. on Feb. 15.