Jan 27, 2003

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason junior guard Mark Davis (Springfield, VA/R.E. Lee/Palm Beach CC) hit a 3-pointer to give the Patriots a 58-56 lead, and Mason held UNC Wilmington to one basket in the final three minutes of the game, outscoring the Seahawks 17-2 en route to a 70-58 win in Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball action Monday evening at the Patriot Center.

George Mason (10-8, 5-4 CAA) won its second straight game after losing three-in-row, while UNC Wilmington (12-5, 6-2) saw its five-game win streak snapped. The Seahawks drop into a tie with Drexel for first-place in the conference standings as the Patriots move to within two games of the league lead heading into the second half of the season.

In a see-saw second half battle that produced six ties and six lead changes, UNCW center Craig Callahan (Cascade, IA) hit a 3-point basket to break a 53-53 tie with 3:15 remaining in the game. Mason senior forward Jesse Young's (Peterborough, Ontario/Peterborough College Institute) made layup at 2:58 cut the deficit to 56-55. Following a missed 3-point attempt from Seahawks guard Brett Blizzard (Tallahassee, FL), the Patriots controlled the rebound and junior guard Raoul Heinen (Bunschoten, Holland) found Davis open for his three, which gave Mason a lead it would not relinquish.

On UNCW's next possession, Young stole the ball, and was later fouled at the 1:48 mark. After a media timeout, Heinen dribbled from the top of the key into the lane and dished off to Young underneath. Young made the basket and was fouled on the play which brought the crowd to its feet, and put Mason ahead, 60-56, with a minute and a half remaining Young made the free throw, pushing Mason's margin to 61-56. The Seahawks turned the ball over again on its possession, and the Patriots made 10-of-15 free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.

Four players scored in double figures for George Mason, led for the second straight game by senior guard Jon Larranaga (Oakton, VA/St. John's-Prospect Hall) who had 19 points and six rebounds. Davis posted 17, making 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Young contributed 14 points and nine rebounds. He also tied his career-high with four steals. Heinen, seeing action for the first time in three games after dislocating his right thumb Jan. 17, came off the bench and sparked the Patriots to the tune of 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Freshman forward Jai Lewis (Aberdeen, MD/Aberdeen/ME Central Inst.) tallied a career-best four assists.

"I'm glad to have my point guard back," explained Davis in talking about Heinen. "He's very important to this team because he can do so many things so well. That's what a point guard is supposed to do and he really helped us tonight."

Blizzard and Callahan led the way for UNC Wilmington as each finished with 20 points.

Mason led 31-26 at halftime and shot 57.9 percent (11-of-19) from the floor in the second period, which included a 4-of-5 (.800) performance from 3-point range. For the game, the Patriots connected at a 47.7 percent clip from the field and 53.8 percent from beyond the arc. The Seahawks were 47.2 percent from the floor. The Patriots were 21-for-29 from the charity stripe compared to only 3-for-7 for UNCW. Mason outrebounded UNC Wilmington, 34-25.

George Mason concludes its three-game home stand as it faces Towson Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Patriot Center.

Box Score
UNC Wilmington (12-5, 6-2) - 26-32=58
George Mason (10-8, 5-4 CAA) - 31-39=70