Jan. 22, 2003

Box Score| Quotes

NORFORLK, Va. - George Mason extended its skid to three games following a 59-46 loss at Old Dominion Wednesday evening in Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball action at the Ted Constant Center.

The Patriots drop to 8-8 overall and 3-4 in the CAA, while the Monarchs improve to 7-8 on the season and 4-3 league play. The last time George Mason lost three consecutive CAA contests was back in the 1997-98 season in Jim Larranaga's first year with the Patriots.

For the Patriots, it was the third time in 2002-03 they were held under the half century mark, recording a 49-56 setback to Duquesne on December 2nd and a 41-65 loss to nationally ranked Pittsburgh. It was the second time this season the Monarchs have held an opponent under 50 points, holding Campbell to just 43 in a 72-43 victory at "The Ted" in the second game of the season back on November 26th.

Junior guard Mark Davis (Springfield, VA/R.E. Lee/Palm Beach CC) was the only Patriot to score in double figures as he totaled 15 points, but went 4 for 16 from the field. Senior guard/forward Jon Larranaga (Oakton, VA/St. John's Prospect Hall) posted eight points, six rebounds, and four assists, while freshman forward Jai Lewis (Aberdeen, MD/Aberdeen/Maine Central Institute) had seven points and five boards. Senior forward Jesse Young (Peterborough, Ontario/Peterborough College Institute) recorded a team-high eight rebounds, but shot 0 for 6 from the floor, finishing with four points off free throws. Sophomore forward/center Colin Wyatt (Williamsburg, VA/Jamestown) tied his career highs with six points and four rebounds.

Senior Ricardo Marsh (18 points, 8 rebounds) led three Monarch players in double figures. Freshman Isiah Hunter poured in 17 points, while senior Rasheed Wright added 10. Junior Troy Nance finished the night with seven assists.

The Monarchs enjoyed an 11-point advantage at the half, leading the Patriots, 30-19, behind 12 points from Thomas. It was a back and forth battle until late in the first when Hunter's trey at 7:27 sparked a 19-6 Old Dominion run to close the half.

Old Dominion held a double figure lead throughout most of the second half. The Patriots pulled within nine on four occasions. Two free throws from Larranaga cut the Monarchs lead to 49-40, but that would be the closest George Mason would get the rest of the night. Following Larranaga's shots from the charity stripe, ODU proceeded on an 8-0 run for a 17-point lead, 57-40, with 5:09 remaining.

The Patriots managed just two field goals in the final 11:58 of the game. During that span, George Mason scored 10 points from the free throw line going 10-for-11.

George Mason did manage to outrebound the Monarchs, 38-33, the first ODU lost the war on the boards but finished in the win column. The Patriots shot just 31.8 percent from the field (14 of 44), while Old Dominion connected on 22 of 54 to shoot nearly 41 percent. Mason went 2 for 11 from beyond the arc.

George Mason returns to action Saturday at the Patriot Center when it hosts CAA foe William & Mary at 7 p.m.

Box Score
George Mason (8-8, 3-4 CAA) - 19-27=46
Old Dominion (7-8, 4-3 CAA) - 30-29=59