George Mason takes down UVA

Bryon Allen came up big with a clutch three-pointer with just under a minute left to give Mason a 60-57 lead. He then hit free-throws in the closing seconds to put the game away for the Patriots. UVA's Joe Harris had previously hit a few big shots despite Mason players being all over him. In the end Mason's pressure defense was the difference and allowed them to win the turnover battle.

-Overall the Patriots had a great night shooting the ball, just not from the free-throw line. They were not many ill-advised shots and Johnny Williams was very efficient. 

-Sherrod Wright had a big game but was uncharacteristically bad from the free-throw line. As a team the Patriots were 8-for-19 from the line and actually shot better on three-pointers. 

-Marko Gujanicic didn't look like a freshman and did a great job on the boards in the absence of Erik Copes. He wasn't afraid to let it ride from behind the arch and looked comfortable all over the court.  

-Bryon Allen was looking more like a floor general then ever and helped Mason push the pace against the Cavaliers. I thought he looked a more comfortable than he did last season and looks improved on the defensive end. 

-Vertrail Vaughns struggled all night and went scoreless. You have to wonder if this continues what kind of role he will have off the bench once Vaughn Gray returns.

College Basketball

[Photo by John Powell]