Nov. 5, 2009

Box Score

The six freshmen on the George Mason men's basketball team drew a lot of attention this summer when they were named the top recruiting class in the nation among non-BCS schools by ESPN.com. On Thursday evening at Patriot Center, it was the returning players who showed that experience is just as if not more important as the Patriots easily dispatched of Virginia State in Mason's lone exhibition game of the 2009-2010 season. Mason beat the Trojans, 100-82.

Andre Cornelius had 22 points on 9 of 11 shooting, Ryan Pearson had 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists and Mike Morrison added nine points, five rebounds and four assists. Cam Long added 10 points in just 16 minutes while Louis Birdsong scored 10 as well. Mason shot 60 percent in the game which helped offset 23 turnovers. Mason also had a 39-25 edge on the boards. Luke Hancock had the best game of all the first-year players with seven points, three rebounds and eight assists. Jacobe Simpson and Brandon Plummer each led VSU with 18 points.

The Patriots opened the contest with a 15-4 run that saw Long hit a 3-pointer, Cornelius score three straight layups while Pearson, Hancock and Birdsong added baskets inside. Virginia State answered with a 14-5 run that pulled the Trojans to with two at 20-18. Long's 3-pointer midway through the half reignited a Mason run that saw the Patriots again push the lead to double figures.

In the second half, Mason used a 19-9 run to open the period and push the lead to more than 20. From there it was a matter of getting people involved and playing time as the Trojans never threatened in the second half. A 21-7 run by VSU in the final six minutes made the final score closer than it was. After scoring just 20 points in the first 9:51, Mason closed the game with 80 points in the final 30:09.

The Patriots open the regular season on Nov. 13 when they host Liberty at 7:30 p.m. at Patriot Center.