Jan. 23, 2009
Box Score
FAIRFAX, Va. -
No. 15 George Mason (1-1) took an early 2-0 lead before dropping the next three games in a five-game loss (30-21, 30-24, 27-30, 24-30, 11-15) to Loyola University Chicago (2-0) on Friday evening at the Field House. Despite the loss, Mason tallied a total of 24 blocks in the match, one shy of the school's rally-scoring era record of 25 set last year against Ball State.
Leading the way for the Patriot defense was junior middle blocker Erik Lanham, who registered a total of 12 blocks in the match, including two solo and 10 assists. Lanham's total tied Matt Steinfurth for the second-highest single-match total in school history during the rally-scoring era. Steinfurth tallied 12 blocks against Rutgers-Newark on Jan. 27, 2006.
George Mason looked unstoppable at the start, hitting .333 as a unit during a 30-21 victory in game one. The Patriots controlled the game throughout and never trailed after losing the opening point. After taking the second game by a final score of 30-24, Mason appeared on its way to an easy win.
However, the Ramblers' attack came alive after dropping the first two games, hitting .306, .212 and .700 in the final three games to earn the come-from-behind victory. In the decisive fifth game, Loyola Chicago had eight kills on 10 swings as a team.
The Ramblers spread the majority of their 66 kills among four players, Mike Bunting (19), Nick Lamoureux (15), Kris Berzins (13) and Mike Morice (10). Berzins recorded a double-double in the match, adding 10 digs to his kill total.
Senior opposite hitter Kyle Gramit led the Patriots in kills for the second consecutive match, with 17 on 44 swings. Senior middle blocker Brandon McLaughlin hit .667 with 11 kills and seven blocks in the match.
Mason will attempt to get back on the winning track tomorrow when it takes on IPFW in a 7 p.m. match at the Field House. Tickets can be purchased at the Field House on the day of the match and cost $5 for adults and $2 for youth and senior citizens. All full-time enrolled George Mason University students will be admitted free with a valid Mason student ID.
