Dec. 2, 2005

Box Score

Atlanta, Ga. - The George Mason men's basketball team made a statement on Friday night in Atlanta - you better come ready to play. That assertion came at the expense of Colonial Athletic Association newcomer Georgia State. Mason opened its CAA schedule against the Panthers in the first-ever meeting for the two schools and Georgia State will be in no hurry to face the Patriots again, as Mason used an 18-0 run that straddled the half to cruise to an 81-51 win.

Lamar Butler poured in a season-high 21 points, freshman Sammy Hernandez set career highs in points and rebounds and the Patriots shot 60 percent from the field while handing out assists on 24 of 34 baskets to improve to 3-2, 1-0. Georgia State, which came into the game averaging 81 points per contest, shot just .286 from the field and had just one player in double figures.

It was a close game for the contest's first 11 minutes, but with the score tied at 12-12, Mason went on a 10-0 run as Hernandez, Butler, Will Thomas, Gabe Norwood and Jai Lewis each scored in the stretch that established Mason's dominance. The lead remained in the neighborhood of a dozen points until a 5-0 run by the Panthers (2-2, 1-1) made it 35-27 with 57 seconds remaining in the first half. But Hernandez hit a 3-pointer and after a turnover, Tony Skinn dropped in a layup to allow Mason to take a 13-point halftime lead.

Mason made sure there would be no Georgia State comeback as the Patriots opened the second half with 13 unanswered points to complete the 18-0 run. From that point on, Mason's lead never fell below 21 points.

Butler was 8 of 11 from the field, 5 of 8 from 3-point range. Hernandez had 9 points and 10 rebounds while Will Thomas tied his career high with 15 points, and he added nine rebounds. Tony Skinn had 11 points on 5 of 7 shooting with six rebounds and a season-high seven assists. Mason had a 44-10 edge in scoring in the paint and a 37-30 advantage in rebounding.

Malcom Manier, who entered the game shooting 53 percent from the field and 60 percent from 3-point range, was 3 of 14 from the field and 1 of 8 from behind the arc. Rashad Chase was 1 of 7 shooting while Herman Favors was 1 of 8.

For Mason, it was the first time any sport has defeated Georgia State since the Panthers joined the CAA earlier this academic season. The Panthers had downed Mason in volleyball twice and in men's and women's soccer once each.