Dec. 7, 2002
Box Score
FAIRFAX, Va. - Senior forward Jesse Young (Peterborough, Ontario) led four Patriots in double figures, scoring a game-high 18 points to go with nine rebounds, as George Mason won its third consecutive game, defeating Niagara 65-45 in men's basketball action Saturday evening at the Patriot Center.
Junior guards Raoul Heinen (Bunschoten, Holland) and Mark Davis (Springfield, VA/Robert E. Lee/Palm Beach CC) each totaled 14 points, while another junior guard Richard Tynes (Washington, DC/St. John's/Hargrave Military Acad.) posted career-highs in points and rebounds with 11 and seven, respectively.
Heinen continued his hot shooting this season, connecting on 5-of-8 field goals and 4-of-6 three-pointers. Senior forward Jon Larranaga (Oakton, VA/St. John's Prospect Hall) also had a stellar game, dishing out a career-best 11 assists, while adding seven rebounds and six points.
"I was just able to get into their defense and find the open man," said Larranaga. "My guys were open or were in good positions to score and they made baskets. As a team, we're finally feeling comfortable playing with each other."
George Mason led 24-17 with 3:10 left in the first period following a made 3-pointer by Heinen. Niagara's James Reaves, who finished the contest with a team-high 10 points and nine boards, made a layup at the 2:40 mark to cut the deficit to 24-19.
After a few missed field goals, Young's tip-in off a rebound with 1:16 left in the frame sparked a 16-5 that ended the first period and began the first five minutes of the second stanza, giving George Mason a 40-24 lead.
The Purple Eagles (1-3) managed to trim Mason's advantage to only 12 points, 40-28, after a layup from Juan Mendez, but Tynes would connect on his only 3-point basket of the game, pushing the Patriots margin to 43-28 at the 12:28 mark. Niagara would get no closer as George Mason recorded its largest lead of the game, 63-39, with 1:52 left in the contest after two made free throws by Tynes.
George Mason shot 37.9 percent for the game, and held Niagara to just 29.1 percent from the floor and 1-of-15 (.067) from 3-point range. The Patriots made 7-of-15 from beyond the arc for 46.7 percent, and went 14-for-14 from the free throw line. Mason also outrebounded the Purple Eagles, 44-37.
The Patriots take a week and a half off for exams and return to action Thursday, Dec. 19, at East Carolina. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Box Score
Niagara - 21-24=45
George Mason - 30-35=65
