Feb. 22, 2003

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - James Madison erased a 10-point second-half deficit, outscoring George Mason 34-23 in the frame, en route to a 57-52 victory over the Patriots in Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball action at Patriot Center Saturday afternoon.

It was Mason's second consecutive loss as the Patriots drop to 14-11 overall (9-7 CAA). Madison sweeps George Mason in the regular season for the first time since the 1997-98 campaign, as the Dukes, who have won two straight, improve to 11-15 overall (7-9 CAA). The Patriots are now 37-4 at home in CAA contests over the past five year.

Junior guard Mark Davis (Springfield, VA/R.E. Lee) led the Patriots with 14 points and seven rebounds. Senior forward Jon Larranaga (Oakton, VA/St. John's-Prospect Hall) tallied 12 points and seven boards. Senior forward Jesse Young (Peterborough, Ontario/Peterborough College Institute) posted a game-high 11 rebounds to go with eight points and led the game with four assists, tying his career high.

Madison senior guard David Fanning (Chesapeake, VA) netted 17 of his game-high 28 points in the second period, scoring 7-for-13 from the floor and 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.

The Dukes, who led for most of the first half, held a 21-18 advantage with 5:50 remaining in the stanza after senior center Ian Caskill's (Virginia, Beach, VA) made layup. Mason responded, however, going on an 11-2 run that included four points from freshman forward Jai Lewis (Aberdeen, MD/Aberdeen) and a dunk from Davis, to take a 29-23 margin into halftime.

Davis opened the second period with two consecutive layups, pushing Mason's lead to ten, 33-23, with 17:42 remaining in the game. Following a five-man substitution and switch to a zone defense, Madison was able to climb back into the contest. Freshman guard Wes Miller (Charlotte, NC) sank two 3-pointers and Fanning scored eight points, including two threes, as the Dukes went on a 16-2 spurt and took a 39-35 advantage with nine minutes left in the contest.

The Dukes continued to make shots when they needed as Mason fell within one point on two occasions, but could not take advantage. Leading by four, 49-45, with 1:45 on the clock, Madison made 8-of-10 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

George Mason outrebounded James Madison, 45-26, but shot only 32.8 percent from the field and was 1-for-11 (9.1%) from 3-point range. The Dukes went 38.6 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc, going 5-of-8 (62.5%) in the second period.

George Mason hosts Old Dominion Monday evening at 7 p.m. as the team honors seniors Young and Larranaga.

Box Score
James Madison (11-15, 7-9 CAA) - 23-34=57
George Mason (14-11, 9-7 CAA) - 29-23=52