Heading into the game, South Mountain coach Jeremey Soria’s goals for his team were to execute and to be patient.

“Understanding when to attack and when not to attack is pretty much what we’ve been working on,'' said Soria. "They (Fairfax) live in transition and we have to limit their transition points.”

Neither happened Friday in a 62-42 loss that snapped the Jaguars five-game winning streak.

After the game, Fairfax coach Joshua Wray said defense won the game.

The Jaguars leading scorer, freshman Zay Freeney, said his team will prepare differently for Fairfax next time.

“We haven’t seen that type of size and length all season long, so we have to adjust to that,” Freeney said. “We definitely just got to keep our heads straight. It’s our first loss after the winter break. We’re just trying to chase the playoffs and we just have to keep working hard.”

Senior Jacori Murphy said the Jags must move on.

“I feel like my role is to keep the team together. Not let them focus on the past. We just have to move on and focus on the next game.”

Early foul trouble and a struggling offense plagued South Mountain in the first half.

Fairfax had a lockdown 2-3 zone defense which made it difficult for South to get anything going.

Coming out of the second half down by 12 points, the Jaguars did not waste time mounting a comeback.

Opening up the third quarter with a three-point field goal helped turn the momentum to the Jaguars.

South was within 10 points with six minutes left in the game.

But Fairfax began to pull away by running out the clock.

South Mountain plays Fairfax again Feb. 5 at Fairfax.