By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Publisher OCEAN CITY — The Mainland Regional boys basketball team built a 20-point second half lead against rival Ocean City in the second half of the Jack Boyd Memorial Doubleheader at the Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend tournament. Then things got a little squirrely. The Red Raiders came storming back by using pressure defense and scoring in transition, cutting the deficit to just five points before the Mustangs regrouped, hit their free throws down the stretch, and hung on to win 59-49 in the final game of one of the area’s most popular early season tournaments. Ocean City (0-2) trailed 30-14 at halftime, as the Mustangs (1-1) scored with relative ease in their half-court sets. But by turning up the pressure defensively, the Red Raiders were able to chip away at the lead and after three quarters trailed by just eight, 40-32. Early in the fourth, Noah Gillian nailed a three from the corner to cut Mainland’s lead to 42-37, but the Mustangs responded with a 7-0 run that helped seal the deal. Dean Deveney scored and a 3-pointer from the top of the key by Sam Jackson made it 49-37. 
Ocean City’s Olivia Briggs battles with Mainland Regional’s Meghan Stafford on Sunday night during the Red Raiders’ win at the Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend. (Girls) Ocean City 47, Mainland Regional 29: The host Red Raiders (2-0) jumped out to a 9-0 lead on the Mustangs (1-1) and never looked back, going on a 20-5 run in the third quarter to remain undefeated. Grace Sacco finished with 10 points, three assists and two steals, while Olivia Briggs led the way with 11 points. Alexis Paone chipped in seven points and five rebounds, and Nicole Piergross nailed a pair of 3-pointers on her way to an 8-point night. Meghan Stafford sparked the Mustangs with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Shea Scannell and Melanie Malcolm each added five points. Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays [adsense]
Mustangs handle Raiders’ pressure defense, win finale of Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend
