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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Mason Tops Georgia State
FAIRFAX, VA – JANUARY 5: Daryl Monroe #32 of the George Mason Patriots shoots against the Georgia State Panthers during a conference men’s basketball game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on January 5, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
Tonight’s game was a battle for first place both Georgia State and GMU were 2-0 in the conference. The only other team undefeated in the conference is Northwestern which Mason will take on in two weeks. Mason will be seeking revenge from last year’s match up with Georgia State where the Patriots lost a 16 point lead in the last four minutes of the game.
At the end of the first half Mason held Georgia State to only 21 points while scoring 27 themselves. Mason struggled from three point range only sinking one of ten. The real story was Monroe at 6’7″ who was more then Georgia State could handle and dominated in the paint fighting for seven rebounds and ten points. Defenders had a difficult time guarding him as he overpowered them using his large frame to his advantage.
FAIRFAX, VA – JANUARY 5: Dre Smith #1 of the George Mason Patriots shoots against the Georgia State Panthers during a conference men’s basketball game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on January 5, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
In the second half Mason was a little sloppy having several turnovers and almost allowed Georgia State back into the game. One of the highlights of the second half was when Mason in-bounded the ball off the back of the opposing team to then blow by him on a break. This wasn’t the most technical of plays or one a coach really likes to see but the crowd sure loved it and Mason went on to win 58-52.
For more photos of game action visit our OffWing Photo flickr gallery.
Story by Brian Collins
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Radford came, Radford saw, but Radford didn’t Concur
FAIRFAX, VA – DECEMBER 19: Daryl Monroe #32 of the George Mason Patriots drives to the basket against members of the Radford Highlanders during a non-conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on December 19, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
The Patriots were off last week for exams and returned to take on the Highlanders from Radford who have started off with a less then stellar performance at 3-6. The Patriots are 3-0 at home this season and have won 17 of their last 18 home games. Mason’s defense continues to be strong keeping four opponents at 60 points or less. They have also held three of their opponents to under 39% shooting from the floor. On offense they have spread the wealth with nine players scoring double digits in at least one contest. The Patriots have had great success against Radford with an 11-3 all-time record.
FAIRFAX, VA – DECEMBER 19: John Vaughan #23 of the George Mason Patriots puts up a shot against the Radford Highlanders during a non-conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on December 19, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
At the end of the first half Mason lead 28-25 and was having a difficult time shooting from the field only making 37%. Both teams must have been cramming for their finals because the playing was fairly sloppy, the shot percentage was low, and the turnovers were high. On a positive note, Senior guard John Vaughan who leads the Patriots in scoring with 11.5 ppg broke the 1000 point mark for his career.
To start the second half the Patriots came out swinging and scored 14 points in the first 5 minutes. Radford had small flashes of excitement and a few brief rallies but the Patriots pulled away and didn’t look back. The Patriots won 67-55 and will take on Tulane, a non conference home game, Monday the 22. Over the past 11 years in Larranaga’s great tenure he has accomplished a great deal, he has more wins then any other CAA team with 214 and the highest win percentage with .654.
FAIRFAX, VA – DECEMBER 19: Dre Smith #1 of the George Mason Patriots drives on Joey Lynch-Flohr #40 of the Radford Highlanders during a non-conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on December 19, 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
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Win Over Ohio Gives Mason A Lifetime .500
George Mason is off to a strong start this season with a record coming into the game at 4-1. They took on Ohio’s Bobcats from the MAC conference who have only played two games, both of which were victorious.
FAIRFAX, VA – NOVEMBER 29: Dre Smith #1 of the George Mason Patriots shoots over Justin Orr #25 of the Ohio Bobcats during a non-conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on November 29, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
Mason scored first and kept the lead the entire first half with their largest lead of 19. They ended the first half up by ten doing an excellent job on defense holding the Bobcats to merely 30 points. The Patriots forced 9 turnovers and did not allow Ohio any easy looks at the basket. Ohio only shot 33% compared to Mason who shot 55%. With a lead of ten Mason was still worried, knowing that last year they where up by 18 over the Bobcats at half and ended up loosing the game.
History did not repeat itself as Mason held the lead the entire game to win 74-65. The Patriots spread the wealth on scoring and five players score double figures, Smith and Long leading the team with 15 points a piece. Monroe was a dominant force on the boards rebounding 9.
FAIRFAX, VA – NOVEMBER 29: Daryl Monroe #32 of the George Mason Patriots drives to the basket on Jerome Tillman #33 of the Ohio Bobcats during a non-conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on November 29, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
Ohio has a new coach in with two games under his belt compared to Larranaga with 710. An interesting side note, Mason’s all time record is just shy of .500 at 596-597 with their first ever game and win back in 1966 against U.S. Navy’s Bethesda Hospital team. That was also the only time Mason’s all time record was over .500.
The Patriots will play Liberty on the road Monday followed by their first CAA game on the road against Drexel. They return to the Patriot Center December 19th to face Radford and try to keep their undefeated home streak going.
For more photographs from the game visit our OffWing Photo gallery on flickr.
Story by Brian Collins
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