GMU Tops Drexel 49-48 With Last-Minute Rally
FAIRFAX, VA – FEBRUARY 18: Andre Cornelius and Mike Morrison scramble for the ball in a conference game against the Drexel Dragons. The game was tied eight times and both teams held the lead several times. The Patriots came back from a three point deficit with a minute left in the game to win 49-48. The Patriots remain undefeated at home. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
GMU Upsets Northeastern For Homecoming Win
FAIRFAX, VA – FEBRUARY 14: Andre Cornelius #2 of the George Mason Patriots drives to the basket against the Northeastern Huskies during a conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 14, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
Mason lost its fifth straight road game on Thursday night to Delaware. Despite suffering on the road they are still in third place behind Northeastern and VCU. Which made their homecoming verse Northeastern all that more important. The last time these two teams met up was a thriller a month ago in Boston, NE won in the last seconds of the game.
FAIRFAX, VA – FEBRUARY 14: Michael Morrison #22 of the George Mason Patriots drives on Chris Alvarez #2 of the Northeastern Huskies during a conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 14, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
At the end of the first half NE lead Mason 20-17. Both teams defense lived up to their reputation and repeatedly shut down their opponents. There were a few sloppy plays and turnovers but for the most part the defense was the story for both teams.
FAIRFAX, VA – FEBRUARY 14: Dre Smith #2 of the George Mason Patriots draws a foul from the Northeastern Huskies during a conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 14, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
The other highlight for the Patriots was a growing phenomenon known as Mason Nation. G-M-U! What! G-M-U! What! That was the war cry for a packed homecoming game at the Patriot Center. The student sections sprawled up to the rafters, compared to over the winter break were the same sections were only a dozen rows deep at most.
George Mason went on to win the game 64-53 which keeps them undefeated at home. They will take on Drexel Wednesday night and hopefully keep their home streak alive. They need all the wins they can get to boost their confidence as they soon will enter the month of madness.
Story by Brian Collins
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GMU Guarantees Winning Season With Win Over Hofstra
FAIRFAX, VA – FEBRUARY 3: In his second game back after missing time for a concussion, John Vaughan scored 16 points, leading the Patriots to a 78-54 win over the Hofstra Pride. (Photo by Kate McGovern/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
GMU Patriots Get The Win, Tulane Gets A Lump Of Coal
FAIRFAX, VA – DECEMBER 22: Andre Cornelius #2 of the George Mason Patriots drives to the basket against the Tulane Green Wave during a non-conference basketball game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on December 22, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
Tonight’s game was the first ever match-up between Tulane and Mason. Tulane came into the game just over .500 with a 5-4 record while Mason continues to roll with a 7-2 record. The Patriot victory brings the program’s all time wins up to an impressive 600. Last Friday against Radford Sophomore Cam Long was the star of the show with a career high 21 points. Long was the latest Patriot player to lead the team in scoring, Mason has had six different players who have lead the team in scoring this season.
FAIRFAX, VA – DECEMBER 22: Ryan Pearson #24 of the George Mason Patriots drives on Daniel Plunkett #44 and Assim McQueen #4 of the Tulane Green Wave during a non-conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on December 22, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
At the end of the first half a pessimist would view the game as poor offence and week shooting percentage from both teams. Mason shot 38% and Tulane shot a dismal 29% from the field. But an optimist would say the defense was excellent and the hustling and rebounding were superb, 22 rebounds logged in for Tulane and 21 for Mason. And finally a realist would say the game went back and forth with 7 ties and 7 lead changes which ended the half in a 29-21 Mason lead.
Mason controlled the lead and the game the entire 2nd half and ended up winning 60-52. Vaughan lead the team in scoring with 16 points, Pearson and Monroe also had double digits. Mason’s next game is on the road against Dayton and then they return home on January 3rd to play a struggling (3-8) UNC Wilmington who is in their conference.
FAIRFAX, VA – DECEMBER 22: John Vaughan #23 of the George Mason Patriots shoots a basket from the perimeter against the Tulane Green Wave during a non-conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on December 22, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
For more photographs from the game visit our OffWing Photo gallery on flickr.
Story by Brian Collins
www.flickr.com
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