When Dave Paulsen put Ian Boyd into Saturday's game after less than four minutes of play, the Mason coach was hoping for a defensive boost against James Madison. The freshman guard had a simple philosophy:
"Just go out there and be the toughest player I can be and rebound."
Boyd's versatile play off the bench was a key factor in the Patriots' 80-77 overtime victory at EagleBank Arena, a third consecutive win heading into Wednesday's away game at Northern Iowa.
Playing a career high 34 minutes, almost triple his average, Boyd finished with 13 points, equaling his total for the year entering the game, plus six rebounds, four assists, two steals and zero turnovers.
"Yes, he scored 13 points," Paulsen said. "But he made the winning plays, the energy plays, the offensive rebound off the foul shots."
Boyd was there to boost the Patriots (4-3) when they were down seven points with 11:49 left in the second half and down four with 2:44 left in overtime. He hit a three-pointer from the left wing, grabbed a defensive rebound and then made two foul shots to put the Patriots head 75-74 in OT. He added a key defensive rebound with 17 seconds remaining.
Paulsen wasn't surprised by all the contributions: "I know what I saw when I recruited him. I know what we saw in practice.
"This is what we knew that we had in Ian Boyd. It just took a little time for him to get acclimated and feeling right."
At 6-foot-3, 215-pounds, Boyd is a physical presence. He was a good enough quarterback, wide receiver and safety at Apex HS in Cary, NC, to be heavily recruited for football. The schools offering scholarships included Virginia Tech, East Carolina and Old Dominion.
He called his decision to play basketball "a tough one." It also has been tough adjusting to Division I basketball where Boyd is not the biggest, strongest or most experienced player on the court.
Asked the most difficult part of adjusting to college ball, Boyd answered, "Not being able to do what I want. Having to play in the offense and not being able to get to the basket every time. That's a big adjustment."
On Saturday against JMU, Boyd consistently made smart decisions, penetrating to draw fouls or kicking the ball out to open teammates. "He did a good job of being patient and finding guys," Paulsen said. "He has really matured in terms of those times when you can't get all the way to the hoop, which is a big adjustment from high school. He did a good job on the glass and defensively.
"He's learned No.1 that he's got to bring unbelievable energy every time, which is a big adjustment. He was the best player on the floor every night (in high school). So that's another adjustment."
With his sturdy build and full beard, Boyd does not look like a typical freshman. He didn't play like one either on Saturday.
"When he plays with a lot of energy and toughness, he's a handful," Paulsen said. "He's much bigger than his size."
