Box Score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team commenced the 2023-24 campaign with a wire-to-wire, 72-61 victory over Monmouth Monday night inside EagleBank Arena.
 
Mason led for 36:33 of the 40-minute contest and shot 45 percent (9-20) from 3-point range, while limiting the Eagles to just 33.8 percent overall (22-65).
 
The strong overall effort gave new head coach Tony Skinn ('06) his first career win on his official return to the EagleBank Arena sidelines.

"The last seven months, these guys have really locked in and worked hard to accomplish what they accomplished tonight," Skinn said. "It's the first of many and I'm happy with the effort."
 
Four Patriots scored in double figures, led by graduate student Amari Kelly, who poured in a career-best 17 points (6-9 FG) to go along with eight rebounds and three blocks in 29 minutes of work.
 
Senior Darius Maddox added 17 points (6-9 FG, 5-8 3pt FG) and knocked down a personal-best five 3-pointers on just eight attempts. He also grabbed six rebounds in a team-high 37 minutes for the Green & Gold.
 
Senior Ronald Polite III added 10 points and dished out a team-best five assists, while senior Woody Newton tallied 10 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Keyshawn Hall pulled down a career-best 10 boards and finished with seven points.
 
Mason committed 18 turnovers, but overcame the miscues with a +12 (44-32) edge on the glass and +9 (17-8) conversion advantage from the free throw line. The Patriots also turned 10 offensive rebounds into a +12 (44-32) edge in second chance points.
 
The Patriots jumped out to a 10-3 advantage and led 16-6 at the 11:47 mark of the first half. The Hawks cut the edge to five (25-20) with 3:33 to go in the opening stanza and Mason led 29-23 at the break.
 
Back-to-back 3-pointers from Maddox and Kelly pushed the lead back to 12 (59-47) with 6:49 to play in the second half and Monmouth could not get closer than seven (64-57) for the remainder of the game.
 
The Patriots return to EagleBank Arena Friday night for a Veteran's Day matchup with Austin Peay. Tip-off between the Patriots and Governors is set for 7 p.m.