George Mason defeats Penn 83-79
George Mason Edges Penn in Thrilling Non-Conference Showdown
In a back-and-forth affair that saw both teams dig deep, the George Mason Patriots emerged victorious over the visiting Penn Quakers with an 83-79 win at EagleBank Arena on Sunday.
The game was a true thriller from start to finish, with neither team able to pull away for more than a handful of possessions. The home crowd watched in awe as the back-and-forth battle saw both teams trading baskets and making clutch plays down the stretch.
As the final buzzer sounded, George Mason celebrated its hard-fought win, thanks in large part to 18 points from Fatt Hill, who led the way for the home team with a strong all-around performance. Nick Ellington chipped in with 11 rebounds and 16 points, while Jahari Long added 12 points and five assists.
The Penn Quakers, meanwhile, were led by Michael Zanoni's 23 points, but ultimately fell just short of capturing the win. Cam Thrower also had a big game for Penn, scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds.
George Mason's victory was a testament to its resilience and ability to close out games when it matters most. The Patriots' strong defensive play down the stretch was instrumental in securing the win, as they limited Penn to just four fast-break points despite the Quakers' valiant effort.
For Penn, the loss serves as a reminder that even in non-conference play, there is always room for improvement. The Quakers will look to bounce back quickly, but this loss may have been a wake-up call to tighten up their defense and make more clutch plays down the stretch.
In the end, it was George Mason's ability to close out games when it mattered most that proved to be the difference-maker in this thrilling matchup. With the win, the Patriots take a step closer to establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the conference, while Penn looks to regroup and refocus for its next challenge.
Game Statistics
* Field Goals: George Mason (34/59), 58.0%; Penn (30/63), 48.0%
* 2-Point FG: George Mason (33/44), 75.0%; Penn (19/37), 51.4%
* 3-Point FG: George Mason (1/15), 7.0%; Penn (11/26), 42.0%
* Free Throws: George Mason (14/28), 50.0%; Penn (8/15), 53.0%
Game Leaders
* Fatt Hill, George Mason - 18 points
* Nick Ellington, George Mason - 11 rebounds, 16 points
* Jahari Long, George Mason - 5 assists, 12 points
* Michael Zanoni, Penn - 23 points
* Cam Thrower, Penn - 6 rebounds, 14 points