The Mount Sinai Mustangs didn't just win and move on in the playoffs, they made a statement to everyone in this division, and all of Suffolk about how dominant this team can be.
The Mustangs overwhelmed Islip 71-51 in a game where the score wasn't even as close as the game itself. The Mustangs were ready from the opening tip and just exploded. They put up 40 points in the first 12 minutes of action with an offensive onslaught. It seemed like they couldn't miss in the first half and their fast breaks and quick passes were only outdone by their pinpoint accuracy.
Things slowed down a bit just before the half, but they still led at the half 42-22. Islip was visibly looking for answers and trying to find a formula that could work. The only negative in the first half was that it was littered by a slew of whistles from the zebras. So much so that you could hear the coach saying “it’s like a free throw contest” after back-to-back fouls in both teams had both coaches upset.
Heading to the locker room to Islip's credit they were telling each other the game wasn't over and to keep their heads up saying, " we have 16 minutes left". Unfortunately, nothing changed for them as they came out of the locker room.
Defense was the name of the game for the second half. The Mustangs came out of the break looking just as dominant as they ended the first half, only this time it was the suffocating defense that was the story. The Stangs got off to a quick 8-0 run and wound up holding Islip scoreless through more than the first five minutes of the second half. Islip didn't score their first points until a foul led to a free throw opportunity ending the drought after 5 1/2 minutes into the second.
After a few missed shots, a travel, and a pass out of bounds, and just overall sloppy play brought on by that impressive Mount Sinai defense, the scoreboard started to show the game slipping away. Islip scores just 11 points in the 3rd quarter and this one was pretty much over before the 4th as the score sat at 57-33 at the end of three.
The Mustangs kept pouring it on in the 4th as they jumped out to another quick start with a 4-0 run and the game was officially out of hand with the final score 71-51.
Mount Sinai look distinctively quicker and were playing a breakneck pace. Dominic Pennzello had a magnificent game scoring 27 points, with two three pointers to go along with 9 rebounds. Brock Kolsch and Brian Vales both scored 11 points with Vales grabbing 7 boards. Alex Campanelli and Marcus Magloire had identical stat lines of 4 points and 4 rebounds, while Max Dabrusky and Andrew McNeely added 2 points apiece.
The Mustangs now will await the winner of the Bayport vs. John Glenn matchup and will play their next game at Longwood High School on March 5th at 4pm.