Box Score (PDF)

TOLEDO, Ohio – The George Mason University men's basketball team (7-1) continued its outstanding start to the season with an 86-77 victory at Toledo Saturday night inside Savage Arena.
 
In their first road test of the season, the Patriots showed poise and mettle while leading for 28:18 of a possible 40 minutes.
 
Mason showcased its usually defensive fortitude while holding Toledo's top-50 FG offense (.493 entering Saturday) to just 42.9 percent. And on the other end of the floor, the Patriots shot 50+ percent for the third-straight game while making 51.7 percent (31-60) of their attempts.
 
"This win really shows our identity and who we can be," head coach Tony Skinn ('06) said. "We've taken care of business at home, but when you take it on the road for the first time it doesn't always end well. For us to come here against a good team and really take control from the majority of the game showed a lot. I'm happy with our resilience down the stretch and how we battled adversity on both sides of the floor."
 
Graduate forward Amari Kelly paced the Patriots with a tremendous effort, tallying a career-best 24 points (8-10 FG) to go along with 10 rebounds, two blocks and two assists. It marked the second-straight double-double for the Norcross, Ga., product.
 
"Amari is a huge part of what's made us effective this season," Skinn said. "What I expected from him is exactly what he's accomplishing. He's a threat down low, he's making plays for guys and he's able to make the right read efficiently through double teams."
 
Senior point guard Ronald Polite III continued his strong play of late with 14 points, three assists and two steals, while senior Darius Maddox chipped in 14 points (6-12 FG), six rebounds and a team-high four assists.
 
Mason held a +10 edge in points in the paint (44-34) and continued its sizzling stretch from 3 while making 8-of-15 (.533) attempts. The Patriots are 17-of-31 (.548) from beyond the arc over the past two games.

The Rockets jumped out to an 11-7 advantage, but the Patriots used a 10-2 run to build a 17-13 edge at the 10:58 mark of the half. Toledo rattled off six straight to go back up two (19-17), but a 10-4 spurt by the Patriots pushed Mason in front by nine (40-31). The Green & Gold led by five (40-35) at the half.
 
Toledo moved in front 49-48 early in the second half, but the Patriots used a 17-5 run to build a 12-point edge (66-54) with 9:47 to play. The Rockets worked their way back into the game and were within five (76-71) with 2:28 to go, but back-to-back buckets from Kelly and Maddox pushed Mason back in front by 10 (81-71) and Toledo could not move closer than seven for the remainder of the game.
 
Next up, Mason continues its road trip with a marquee contest against No. 10 Tennessee on Tuesday (Dec. 5) in Knoxville. Tip-off between the Patriots and Volunteers is set for 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SECN+.