George Mason High girls outrun Floyd County, 53-46

The Mustangs outran and outshot the Buffaloes and have the VHSL Group A, Division 2 girls basketball tournament title to show for it.

The Mustangs are from George Mason High of Falls Church. They won their second state championship (1998) and denied defending champion Floyd County a second in a row. The Buffaloes were the 2007 runners-up as well.

Floyd County likes to press and play transition basketball. George Mason does, too. Even though they turned over the ball more (23-14), the Mustangs shot better and outrebounded the Buffaloes 43-28. George Mason opened up a working margin in the middle two quarters.

The Buffaloes scrambled to come back in the fourth quarter, but the Mustangs' defense made them use up the clock working for points. Poor shooting from beyond the three-point arc (2 for 16) was a factor for Floyd.

Brittany Avancini paced the Buffaloes in her last game with 19 points. Carmen Bolt added 10 points.

Bria Platenburg led the Mustangs with 14 points. Nicole Mitchell contributed 13 points and 15 rebounds, and Chantal Thomas had nine points and five steals. -- Arthur Utley