Feb. 19, 2003

Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Senior guard Brett Blizzard poured in 24 points to become the all-time scorer in UNC Wilmington history as the Seahawks breezed to a 75-55 victory over George Mason Wednesday night in Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball action at Trask Coliseum.

The Seahawks improved to 17-6 overall and 11-3 in the CAA with their 10th win in the last 12 outings. The Patriots dropped to 14-10 and 9-6 in the conference with the loss.

Senior forward Jon Larranaga's (Oakton, VA/St. John's-Prospect Hall) 14 points led Mason. Junior guard Mark Davis (Springfield, VA/R.E. Lee) finished with eight points. Sophomore forward Colin Wyatt (Williamsburg, VA/Jamestown) posted a career-high seven points and tied his personal-best with four rebounds.

Blizzard made 9-of-18 shots, including 6-of-13 behind the arc, to push his career total to 1,978 points, surpassing Brian Rowsom's old mark of 1,974 points set in 1987. Blizzard also moved into eighth on the CAA's all-time scoring list. Junior guard Tim Burnette added 20 points and senior center Craig Callahan chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds.

UNCW maintained its half-game lead in the CAA with the win and avenged a 70-58 setback to the Patriots on Jan. 27 in Fairfax, VA. The Seahawks shot 54.5 percent from the floor, hitting 11-of-24 from 3-point range, and held the Patriots to a season-low 7.7 percent (1-of-13) from behind the 3-point line.

After leading at halftime, 34-21, the Seahawks gained more separation in the early minutes of the second period. Blizzard opened the half with a trey from the right wing and an 11-0 run midway through the period put the game out of each. Blizzard's 3-pointer from left wing with 8:33 remaining staked the Seahawks to a 62-37 cushion.

In the first half, GMU took an early 5-4 lead on a bucket from junior forward Richard Tynes (Washington, DC/St. John's) with 17 minutes remaining before the Seahawks took control. Burnette's layup at 16:49 regained the lead for UNCW, and he then nailed a 3-pointer with 12:03 left, keying an 11-2 run that doubled the score on the Patriots, 22-11. UNCW built its biggest lead of the first half, 34-19, with 1:14 left.

George Mason returns home to entertain James Madison on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Box Score
George Mason (14-10, 9-6 CAA) - 21-34=55
UNC Wilmington (17-6, 11-3 CAA) - 34-41=75