Dec 2, 2003

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Senior guard Raoul Heinen (Bunschoten, Holland) posted career highs of 23 points and 10 rebounds in leading George Mason to a 76-65 victory over visiting East Carolina Tuesday night at the Patriot Center. Heinen connected on 9-of-14 field goals, and was 5-of-7 from 3-point range in helping to end the Pirates (3-1) three-game season-opening win streak. The Patriots (3-1) have now won seven straight contests over ECU, dating back to 1999, and extend the lead in the all-time series to 32-14.

Three other players scored in double figures for the Patriots, which went on a late 17-0 second half run to pull away for the win. Sophomore guard Lamar Butler (Oxon Hill, MD/Oxon Hill) fueled the spurt with three consecutive 3-pointers that pushed the Patriots ahead 62-56 with 5:56 remaining in the game. He finished with 16 points and five boards. Senior guard Mark Davis (Springfield, VA/R. E. Lee/Palm Beach CC) chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds, while forward Jai Lewis (So.; Aberdeen, MD/Maine Central Inst.) totaled 10 points and three blocked shots. Junior guard Terry Reynolds (Nashville, TN/Toledo) dished out a game-high eight assists.

Erroyl Bing recorded 11 points and 14 rebounds for ECU. Belton Rivers had 13 points and Japhet McNeil 10.

Mason took the early lead in the first half off a tip-in by Lewis, making the score 8-2. ECU continued to battle throughout the period and forged ahead, 32-31, with 3:53 remaining after two made free throws from Gabriel Mikulas. The half ended tied 38-38 after Mikulas made a jumper with six seconds left on the clock.

The Pirates began to pull away midway through the second period, staking a 56-49 lead after consecutive 3-point baskets from Rivers with 9:45 left in the game. Two layups from Heinen and Butler's three straight 3-pointers sparked the 17-0 march that put the Patriots ahead to stay, 66-56, with four minutes, 21 seconds remaining.

Mason shot 39.1 from the floor, but was 47.8 percent from beyond the arc on 11-for-18 shooting. The Patriots recorded 18 assists, 12 turnovers and nine steals, but was outrebounded 45-39. East Carolina shot 40.6 percent for the game, but went cold in the second stanza, making only 10-of-35 (.286) field goals, after scoring at a 55.2 percent clip in the first half.

George Mason is on the road for its next two games, visiting Hartford Thursday evening at 7 p.m. and 10th-ranked North Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m.

Box Score
East Carolina (3-1) - 38-27=65
George Mason (3-1) - 38-38=76