Feb. 24, 2007

Box Score

Boston, Mass. - Jim Larranaga coached his 300th men's basketball game at George Mason on Saturday afternoon, and while he probably doesn't want to remember it, it's a game he probably won't soon forget. The Patriots suffered their worst loss since Feb. 26, 2005 (75-52 at Hofstra) as Mason lost to Northeastern 73-50 in Colonial Athletic Association action. The Patriots failed to win 10 conference games for the first time since 1997-98 and Mason will enter next week's CAA Tournament as the sixth seed.

The Patriots found themselves in an early 18-point hole after Northeastern opened the game with a 24-6 run. Bennet Davis scored eight points in that run while Bobby Kelly added six and Adrian Martinez and Matt Janning each had five. But the Huskies got baskets from Bobby Kelly inside the arc and outside the arc and Martinez added a 3-pointer and it was once again an 18-point Northeastern lead, 34-16. A Martinez 3-pointer in the final minute gave the Huskies a 41-20 lead at the half.

Northeastern shot 57.1 percent in the first half while Mason made just 33.3 percent of its shots. The Patriots also committed nine turnovers in the first half while the Huskies made just four. Northeastern was also 5 of 12 from 3-point range while Mason was just 0 of 6. The deficit got as large as 26 points in the second half when Mason went nearly four minutes without scoring. Gabe Norwood's 3-pointer with just under 10 minutes to play kept it from becoming the first game this century in which Mason failed to connect on a 3-pointer.

Will Thomas had eight points and five rebounds while Folarin Campbell, returning from a hamstring injury, had eight points. Dre Smith and Louis Birdsong each had six and Jordan Carter had a career-high nine rebounds. Northeastern, celebrating Senior Night, got big performance from its seniors as Davis had 20, Martinez scored 11 and Kelly added 17.

The Patriots will play James Madison in the first round of the CAA Tournament. Mason is the sixth seed and is scheduled to play in the opening round at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday. Should the Patriots advance to the quarterfinals, they would play Hofstra on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Penny Lane Pub, located a few blocks from Richmond Coliseum, will be the GMUgear.com Mason Nation Headquarters for all pre-game and post-game cheer. You can preview and review the game with your fellow Patriot fans. Should Mason play any day games, Penny Lane will open two and one-half hours prior to tip-off. There will be Mason drink specials, food and Mason gear available for purchase. Penny Lane Pub (804.780.1682) is located at 421 East Franklin Street, Richmond, Va. 23219.