George Washington came into the third meeting with George Mason with a level of confidence they had earned from close losses to the Patriots during the regular season.
In the first meeting, the Revolutionaries were one made free throw from Rafael Castro to win. Instead, Castro missed two free throws, and George Mason would win in double overtime.
In the rematch in Foggy Bottom, the first half looked like the land that time forgot.
George Mason led 19-13 at the half before the game morphed into modern-day basketball.
The Patriots led by as many as 13 in the second half before the Revolutionaries stormed back to take a two-point lead with 1:56 left. They never scored again.
George Mason would close the game on a 5-0 run to win, 53-50.
The third game was supposed to be the one where George Washington put it all together against a team they felt like they were just as good as, but today wasn’t the day.
The Revolutionaries crumbled in the second half under an avalanche of defensive pressure in the 80-65 loss.
George Washington started today’s game with an offensive flurry that had the Atlantic 10’s top defense searching for answers.
Gerald Drumgoole hit two early three-pointers, and Ty Bevins hit another, staking George Washington to an early 15-11 lead.
“I thought we did a great job in the first half. I don’t know that anybody shot like whatever we shot in the first half, 62% and 63% from three against them,” said head coach Chris Caputo.
Christian Jones’ three-pointer with 40 seconds left in the first half gave George Washington a six-point lead.
Woody Newton would hit a pull-up jumper with one second left, but the Revolutionaries had to feel good about going into the locker room with a 42-38 lead.
Then the second half happened.
George Washington missed their first six shots and turned the ball over twice. In a span of 4:08, the Revolutionaries had gone from up four to down eight.
“You knew they were going to pick up their defensive edge after the first half. Starting [Jared] Billups, putting him on Christian [Jones], [Jalen] Haynes on Slim (Rafael Castro). Right now, you have eliminated one five pick and rolls because Billups can’t be screened. Now trying to go to two-guard lineup, two point guard, whoever he’s not guarding would be in middle pick and roll a little bit.”
The Patriots’ offense picked up along with the defense, and with 7:31 left, George Washington was down 18.
The Revolutionaries fought back, and with 4:57 left, Jacoi Hutchinson’s three-pointer got George Washington within 10 at 68-58.
That’s when KD Johnson made what might have been the most critical shot of the game.
The Revolutionaries’ defense forced George Mason deep into the shot clock. With the clock winding down and Johnson stuck out top, he hoisted a three-pointer that found its way into the basket.
Even though the game wasn’t over, it felt over. The 13-point lead grew back to 18, and George Washington was out of runs.
But this season was a signature one for George Washington. One that they hope isn’t over.
“And I hope we’re not done playing. I think we’re probably close to some of these other tournaments. I wouldn’t say that we’re in, but I don’t think that’s the case. But I think we’re close. We would be excited about competing. I think that would be a logical step for our program here as we build it.”
