Ajon Jefferson scored 10 for Pasadena but the Dogs sufferred their first Pacific League loss
(Pasadena) – Muir had the better record. The Mustangs had lost once all year. But the prevailing feeling was that Pasadena had played a tougher schedule and was the better team. And with a home game, the Bulldogs had a decided advantage going into Friday night’s key Pacific League matchup with Muir.
It didn’t quite turn out as expected. Muir outscored Pasadena 21-15 in the decisive fourth quarter and Jelani Mitchell hit three clutch free throws down the stretch as the Mustangs beat Pasadena 64-60 before a raucous capacity crowd at Pasadena’s Dog House.
With the Muir leading 61-60, Mitchell was fouled on successive possessions and buried three free throws, the last two with seven seconds left to ice it for the Stangs. Mitchell had nine points overall and was five of seven from the line.
Deon Nelson came up big for Muir in the final quarter as well scoring 11 points including five from the charity stripe. He also scored a huge basket late in the game on a drive down the lane. Nelson had 16 on the night to share team scoring honors with Tevin Polk.
Muir led by one at the end of the first quarter but opened it up to seven, 28-21 at the half as Polk scored six in the second quarter. The Mustang defense held Pasadena to just four points in the second.
The Bulldogs looked like a different team in the third quarter offensively. They racked up 24 in the third as Big Brandon Jolley went to work inside. He scored nine points in the paint with five of those coming from the free throw line as he drew a lot of attention from the Muir front line. Blake Hamilton also scored six to give the Bulldogs a spark.
By the time the quarter ended, Pasadena had erased the seven point deficit and was up by two at 45-43.
But the Bulldogs struggled again to find a groove in the final frame and Muir did enough on offense, especially at the line to hold Pasadena at bay. Muir was able to survive the fourth quarter despite Andre Frazier and Taturs Mayberry both fouling out. Hamilton fouled out for Pasadena.
Mitchell and Frazier each scored nine for Muir.
For Pasadena Jolley and Hamilton led the way with 14. John Haywood scored 12 and Ajon Jefferson added 10.
Muir is now in sole possession of the Pacific at 7-0, (18-1 overall. Pasadena falls to 6-1 in league and 13-6 overall.
M 18 10 15 21 64
P 17 4 24 15 60
M – Nelson 16, Cockrell 6, Mitchell 9, Frazier 9, Mayberry 6, Polk 16, Carrier 2.
P – Jefferson 10, Hicks 6, Haywood 12, Hamilton 14, Jolley 14, Johnson 2, McClendon 2.
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