George Mason defeats Old Dominion 73-61
George Mason Edges Out Old Dominion in Thrilling Home Victory
In a hard-fought non-conference matchup, the George Mason Patriots (12-1) emerged victorious against the visiting Old Dominion Monarchs (8-4), with a final score of 73-61.
The game was a closely contested affair from start to finish, with both teams displaying impressive offense and defense. However, the home team's strong performance in the first half set the tone for the rest of the contest. At halftime, George Mason led by a margin of nine points (38-29), thanks in large part to Riley Allenspach's 13 points.
In the second half, Old Dominion made a concerted effort to close the gap, but the Patriots' defense held strong. With just over five minutes remaining, the Monarchs trailed by seven points (58-51). However, KC Shaw scored eight consecutive points, cutting the deficit to just three points with under two minutes left.
Despite Shaw's valiant effort, George Mason managed to hold on for the 12-point victory. The Patriots' strong rebounding and team defense played a crucial role in securing the win.
Riley Allenspach led all scorers with 26 points, including four three-pointers, while also grabbing six rebounds and dishing out two assists. Jahari Long provided valuable support, chipping in four assists and six points.
For Old Dominion, KC Shaw led the charge with 14 points, shooting 41.7% from the field. Caelum Swanton-Rodger contributed nine rebounds and 13 points off the bench.
The Patriots' victory marked their third straight win at EagleBank Arena, which has become a fortress for the home team this season. With the win, George Mason improved to 12-1 on the season, while Old Dominion fell to 8-4.
In terms of advanced statistics, both teams performed well. The Patriots shot an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 44.6%, while the Monarchs shot 47.2%. However, it was George Mason's free throw rate that proved decisive, as they converted at a 74.0% clip.
Overall, the win marked a significant milestone for George Mason, who have established themselves as one of the top teams in the league. With their strong performance on both ends of the court, the Patriots demonstrated why they are a force to be reckoned with this season.