Nov. 26, 2005

Box Score

Riverdale, N.Y. - The George Mason men's basketball team survived a nine-point first-half deficit and strong offensive rebounding by the Manhattan Jaspers to grab a critical early-season road win, downing the Jaspers 72-66 at Draddy Gym in Riverdale, N.Y.

The Patriots (2-2) made 24 of 30 free throws while Manhattan (0-2) was just 8 of 15 from the line, and Mason shot 56 percent from the field to overcome a raucous crowd in the Jaspers' home opener. Jai Lewis had a game-high 17 points and Tony Skinn was 10 of 12 from the free throw line, including four in the final minute as Mason held off several Manhattan runs.

Will Thomas had 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds as he and Lewis proved too much inside for Manhattan. Thomas and Lewis combined to go 13 of 20 from the field and 6 of 9 from the free throw line with 13 rebounds between them. Lamar Butler poured in 16 points, 10 of those coming in the first half as Mason fell behind 17-8 before outscoring Manhattan 22-11 to close out the half.

Mason opened the second stanza with a 5-0 run to build a seven point lead and the Patriots kept Manhattan at bay the entire second half. The Jaspers would trim the lead to three time and again only for Mason to respond with a spurt to go back up by seven. That form broke with 2:36 to play when Jeff Xavier's steal and layup cut Mason's lead to 62-61, but Lewis had a layup inside and Thomas followed with a dunk to make it 66-61. From there Mason was 6 of 6 from the line to hold off every Manhattan comeback.

C.J. Anderson had 15 points and eight rebounds for Manhattan while Arturo Dubois had 14 points and seven rebounds. But Manhattan shot just 44 percent from the field in the second half while Mason was 60 percent from the field. The Jasper also had an edge in 3-pointers, sinking six to Mason's two, but the Jaspers shot just 53.3 percent from the free throw line.

The Patriots return to action on Friday when they play their CAA opener, traveling to Georgia State for the first-ever meeting between the two schools. That tilt is slated for 7 p.m.