March 1, 2007
Richmond, Va. -
The George Mason men's basketball team will take the court on Friday night against its rival with a chance to begin an historic run in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. The Patriots will take on James Madison, a team it has beaten six straight times and 15 of the past 19 meetings. The Dukes have lost in the opening round of the CAA Tournament each of the past three years. Tip is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. but could be later if the previous tournament games run late.
Mason struggled near the end of the regular season, losing 7 of its final 11 games after a five-game winning streak in mid-January. The Patriots need a win over the Dukes (7-22) to avoid a .500 season. Mason (15-14) has finished better than .500 the past eight seasons. The sixth-seeded Patriots will be fighting their own history as they are 0-3 in the CAA Tournament as the sixth seed. Mason is also just 2-4 all-time against the 11th-seeded Dukes in the CAA Tournament, but they are 2-1 when the higher seed.
The Patriots have been led this season by a pair of juniors, Will Thomas and Folarin Campbell. Thomas is 14th in the nation in field-goal percentage (.611) and he leads Mason in rebounding (7.1) and blocks (19). He's second in scoring at 13.7 ppg. Campbell leads Mason in scoring (14.1), assists (3.57) and steals (1.35) and he is one of two players in the CAA to be among the top 12 in those three categories. He is also second on the team in rebounding (4.0).
The Patriots swept James Madison this season, winning in Fairfax, 73-52, and winning in Harrisonburg, 59-41. In the first meeting, Mason shot 50 percent from the field, 45.8 percent from 3-point range and outrebounded James Madison, 37-20. John Vaughan had 16 points while Thomas, Campbell and Jordan Carter each scored 11. Juwann James was the lone Duke to reach double figures with 21 points and five rebounds.
In the second meeting, Mason shot 46.8 percent but held James Madison to 35.7 percent shooting. Campbell had 17 points, Thomas had 13 points and each had six rebounds and four assists. Campbell added three steals. Carter had 11 points and Louis Birdsong had 10 points and five rebounds. James was held to eight points while Joe Posey had 12 points and five rebounds. Pierre Curtis had nine points in both meetings and averaged 3.5 assists in the two contests.
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. 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.
