Jan. 22, 2009

George Mason guard John Vaughan, who suffered a concussion on Wednesday night during the Patriots' game at Northeastern, will miss Saturday's contest at VCU. The fifth-year senior saw George Mason team physician Dr. Frank Pettrone on Thursday evening after returning from Boston and he was alert, comfortable, well-oriented and very responsive. Vaughan will see a neurologist on Friday.

"John will follow a regular progression of rehabilitation over the next five to seven days," Pettrone said. "He'll be evaluated daily by the training staff and every two to three days by the medical staff." Pettrone added that he was very encouraged by Vaughan's condition.

Vaughan was injured with a little more than two minutes to play in Wednesday's game when Eugene Spates inadvertently hit him in the forehead with an elbow. A foul was called on a Mason player during the battle under the boards and Vaughan was helped to his feet and remained in the game as Nkem Ojougboh shot the first of two free throws. Between attempts, Vaughan collapsed to the floor where he remained for more than 15 minutes before being taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for evaluation. He was released later that night and returned to the team hotel.

Vaughan, who is Mason's active leader in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and 3-pointers, was Mason's leading scorer on Wednesday night with 19 points.