George Mason 84 LaSalle 76
George Mason came into their game with LaSalle trying to break their first two game conference losing streak of the season. Meanwhile, the Explorers were looking for their fifth straight conference win.
George Mason started off fast jumping out to an early nine point lead. The lead was largely built on getting the ball inside to Jarred Reuter and Greg Calixte. The inside touches allowed the Mason perimeter players driving lanes.
But after an early LaSalle timeout, the Explorers started making it harder for the Patriots to get the ball inside. That provided the Explorers an avenue to make a run of their own as they went on a 9-0 run giving them an 18-17 lead.
After both teams would play ‘back and forth’ basketball it became a half of spurts. George Mason would go on a 7-0 spurt giving the Patriots a six point lead. Right before the half, the Explorers would make an 8-0 run giving them the lead at halftime.
Leaders:
Points: George Mason: Greene 15; LaSalle: Phiri 11
Rebounds: George Mason: Kier 5; LaSalle: Kimbrough 3
Assists: George Mason: Livingston II 3; LaSalle: Powell 3
LaSalle 39 George Mason 37
The second half started with a double technical before the ball was even put into the play. It would be Saul Phiri’s (LaSalle) third foul. Phiri came into the game leading the Atlantic 10 in three point shooting at 48%.
The Patriots seem to deal with the unusual start better than LaSalle. The Patriots went on a 10-4 run to start the half turning a two point deficit into a four point lead. The lead would get to eight before Traci Carter would respond for LaSalle
Carter would score the Explorers next seven points cutting the Mason lead to just one with 11:29 left. LaSalle would take a brief lead when Pookie Powell hit a three pointer. It would be the Explorers last lead.
Mason’s 17-9 run would give them their largest lead of the half at 78-71. A Phiri three pointer followed by a Powell steal that led to a Croswell layup. That cut the lead to two with under two minutes left.
But a Jordan Miller layup put Mason back up by four. LaSalle had chances to get it back to within one score but never could.
Leaders:
Points: George Mason: Greene 21; LaSalle: Powell 18
Rebounds: George Mason: Kier 8; LaSalle: Phiri 5
Assists: George Mason: Livingston II 5; LaSalle: Powell 6
