George Mason defeats La Salle 75-80
George Mason Edges La Salle in Thrilling Conference Matchup
In a dramatic turn of events, visiting George Mason erased a 7-point halftime deficit to secure an 80-75 win over host La Salle at the John Glaser Arena.
La Salle took control early, dominating the paint and building an 11-point lead with just over 10 minutes left in the first half. However, George Mason's high-powered offense refused to back down. The Patriots began to chip away at the deficit behind a strong performance from senior Kory Mincy, who scored 21 points on 9-20 shooting.
As the game entered its final minutes, La Salle's lead had narrowed to just two points. However, George Mason responded with a decisive burst, outscoring La Salle 18-5 over the next three minutes. The Patriots' bench played a key role in this stretch, contributing six points and several crucial defensive stops.
The difference-maker proved to be Kory Mincy's all-around performance, which included four assists and two steals. His efforts helped George Mason outscore La Salle 45-33 in the second half, setting the tone for the Patriots' comeback victory.
La Salle's Jerome Brewer Jr. led his team with 21 points on 3-6 three-point shooting. Josiah Harris chipped in with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, but La Salle ultimately fell short despite a valiant effort.
The win propels George Mason to the top of the conference standings, while La Salle's loss keeps their playoff hopes alive. The Patriots' victory is a testament to their resilience and ability to perform under pressure in crucial matchups.
Game Stats:
* Field Goals: George Mason 27/56 (48.0%), La Salle 24/62 (39.0%)
* Three-Point Shooting: George Mason 5/16 (31.0%), La Salle 8/25 (32.0%)
* Free Throws: George Mason 21/28 (75.0%), La Salle 19/27 (70.0%)
Advanced Stats:
* eFG%: George Mason 52.7%, La Salle 45.2%
* True Shooting%: George Mason 58.5%, La Salle 50.8%
The Patriots' victory sets the stage for a thrilling second half of the conference season, with George Mason poised to make a deep run in the postseason.