George Mason uses good free-throw shooting to defeat Georgia State, really

It's amazing how many different ways George Mason has won games this season. They have not had a secret recipe they use for each match up.  It might be smothering defense, it might be lights out three-point shooting, it might be fast break points off turnovers you just don't know.  Yesterday afternoon's 66-51 victory over Georgia State added another method of winning for the Patriots, dominating at the free-throw line. I've been complaining about this team's free-throw shooting for some time, most notably last season, so a game like this really makes me happy. The statsheet chart at the bottom of this post really drives home how effectively Mason got to the free-throw line and made the Panthers pay. Towards the end of this game the difference in points at the free-throw was what was keeping them ahead.  Getting to the line and playing solid defense is an easy way to win a basketball game and Mason proved they don't have to shoot 50% from the field or drain 10 three-pointers in order to win games. The Patriots are now 7-1 when their opponents turn over the ball more than 15 times in a game, Georgia State had 19 in this one.

It was an important win for Mason because they face a very good Drexel team at home this Wednesday and then travel to Harrisonburg to face JMU who are currently 5-1 in CAA play.  

College Basketball