Box Score (PDF)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The George Mason University men's basketball team (7-2) went up against one of the nation's top defenses Tuesday night during an 87-66 setback to #17/13 Tennessee inside Food City Center.
The Vols entered the game with the nation's second most-efficent defense (.904 points/possession) and showcased it Tuesday, as Mason's usually potent offense was held to 66 points and a 42.9 percent clip (24-56). Mason made a season-best 11 3-pointers and shot 44 percent from deep, but the Vols' +16 (40-24) edge in points in the paint ultimately proved the difference in the game.
"This was a tough one for us. We know what type of team Tennessee is," head coach Tony Skinn ('06) said. "Despite their early season struggles, that's not who they are. On both ends they were really tough. They took us out of our offense. They were a load in the paint – we've been pretty good at defending our paint, but tonight was uncharacteristic of who we are."
Tennessee shot 59 percent (23-39) against Mason's stout 2-point defense, which ranked as the nation's fifth-best entering the game.
Senior
Darius Maddox led the Green & Gold with 15 points (3-6 3pt FG) and five rebounds in 33 minutes on the floor. He's scored at least 13 points in each of the past six games.
Senior
Woody Newton added a career-best 13 points (4-5 FG, 3-4 3pt FG) and grabbed four rebounds in 19 minutes. He's now a sizzling 14-of-22 (.636) from 3pt range on the season.
Freshman
Baraka Okojie added 11 points (3-5 FG, 2-2 3pt FG) and dished out three assists in 25 minutes.
Tennessee led 11-10 at the 15:02 mark of the first half and extended the edge to nine at 23-14. Mason moved back within four (23-19) on a Baraka Ojokie 3-pointer with 5:49 to play in the stanza, but the Vols ended the half on an 8-2 spurt to take a 39-26 lead into the break.
The run ballooned to 15-2 early in the second half as Tennessee extended its lead to 20 (46-26). Mason could not move closer than 18 for the remainder of the game.
The Patriots will now take a competitive hiatus for the University exam period and return to action on Saturday, December 16. George Mason will host Loyola (Md.) at 6 p.m. inside EagleBank Arena.
