Jan. 10, 2004

Box Score

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - George Mason sophomore forward Jai Lewis (Aberdeen, MD/Aberdeen/Maine Central Inst.), who totaled 17 points and a game-high nine rebounds along with two assists and three blocked shots, led six players in double figures as the Patriots defeated William & Mary, 84-71, in a Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball contest Saturday evening at William & Mary Hall.

The Patriots (9-3, 2-1 CAA) shot a blistering 60.7 percent from the field in the second half and finished the contest going 33-of-59 for 55.9 percent. The Tribe (4-9, 1-3 CAA) completed the game making 25-of-60 shots as they suffered their fourth straight loss.

George Mason's13-8 lead in the game's first five minutes ballooned to a 27-12 margin five minutes later as Patriot guards Lamar Butler (So.; Oxon Hill, MD/Oxon Hill) and Terry Reynolds (Jr.; Nashville, TN/Toledo) each made 3-point baskets during a 14-4 run. Mason would continue to lead by as many as 13 points, 35-22, with 4:52 left in the frame, but W&M's Taylor Mokris, who ended the game with 17 points, and Nate Loehrke, each scored four in a late 12-5 spark which brought the Tribe to within six, 40-34, at the intermission.

Mason, which continued to lead throughout the second period, held a 51-48 advantage with 13:35 remaining. A layup from junior forward Kevin Mickens (Baltimore, MD/Allegany Coll. of MD) started a 10-0 run by the Patriots who pushed the margin to 61-48 with 11:04 left. W&M would get no closer than nine, 69-60 with 8:20 remaining, the rest of the way.

Also in double figures for Mason was Mickens, who finished with a career-high 14 points and six rebounds, Butler (12 points), senior guard Mark Davis (Springfield, VA/Palm Beach CC) (11), Reynolds (10) and senior guard Raoul Heinen (Bunschoten, Holland) (10). Reynolds also pasted a game-high eight assists.

Tribe forward Corey Cofield led all scorers with a career-high 22 points. William & Mary and CAA leading scorer Adam Hess, who came into the game averaging 19.9 points, was held to only nine on the night. He added four assists and six rebounds.

The Tribe out rebounded the Patriots, 34-32, and had 15 assists with 12 turnovers. Mason registered 23 assists and only 11 turnovers. The Patriots went 7of-19 from 3-point range for 36.8 percent.

George Mason hosts CAA foe Hofstra Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Box Score
George Mason (9-3, 2-1 CAA) - 40-44=84
William & Mary (4-9, 1-3 CAA) - 34-37=71