March 4, 2007

Richmond, Va. - It's a familiar story for George Mason fans. A sophomore point guard, a transfer from a junior college, wearing the No. 1 jersey, has a coming out party in the CAA Tournament, scoring a career high in leading his team to a pair of tournament victories.

Three years ago, that player was Tony Skinn, scoring 27 points against UNC Wilmington to lead the Patriots to the CAA Championship Game. This year, it has been Dre Smith, scoring 26 points in the opening round and 12 more in the quarterfinals to lead Mason to the CAA semifinals and a contest against second-seeded Old Dominion.

Sunday's contest will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. and will be aired in Fairfax on Cox Channel 28. Sixth-seeded Mason will try to become the first team to win four games in the CAA Tournament. The Patriots are halfway to that goal after a Friday win over 11th-seeded James Madison and a Saturday win over third-seeded Hofstra.

Old Dominion (24-7) is one of the hottest teams in the country right now, having won 12 straight games, the seventh-longest active streak in the nation. That streak was nearly cut in half, though, as the Monarchs needed a 3-pointer at the buzzer on Feb. 3 to force overtime against Mason. In the extra period, Old Dominion outscored Mason 10-0.

The Patriots haven't forgotten that game, in which they lead by as many as 10 at one point. Nor have they forgotten the Jan. 6 contest at Old Dominion in which Mason led by 14 in the first half, eventually trailed by 10, but still had a chance to force overtime with a pair of free throws with less than two seconds to go. Folarin Campbell was unable to convert, though, and Mason lost by two.

Mason enters Sunday's game with a trio of individual milestones looming. Will Thomas needs four points to reach 1,000 for his career. Folarin Campbell needs 11 points to reach that same milestone. And for Gabe Norwood, simply checking into the game will give him a share of a school record as he will tie Jai Lewis for career games played at Mason with 125.