FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team (15-5, 4-3) put together an outstanding second half during a 92-84 victory over Rhode Island before 6,756 boisterous fans on Homecoming Saturday inside EagleBank Arena.
The Patriots trailed 42-40 at the break, but outscored the Rams 42-32 in the second half to secure the win.
Rhode Island (9-11, 3-4) made 13 3-pointers – just one off their season high – to stay within striking distance in the second half. But the Patriots were able to come out on top after holding significant advantages in points off turnovers (44-30), free throws made (25-13), second chance points (19-11) and fast break points (13-0).
"I have to shout out the atmosphere tonight, I thought it was electric," head coach Tony Skinn ('06) said. "I think it was the best it's been all year, and that gave us life. We needed this win, like every win in conference. I think I can't be too greedy. I was upset we gave up so many points in the first half, but we also put a lot of points on the board. This was an amazing game and I'm happy with the win."
Senior
Darius Maddox led the Patriots with a career-best 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting and made 4-of-6 3-pointers on the night.
Sophomore
Keyshawn Hall added an efficient 22 points (7-11 FG, 7-8 FT) despite battling foul trouble, while freshman
Baraka Okojie tallied a career-best 18 points (5-6 FG) and made 8-of-10 attempts from the free throw line.
Graduate forward
Amari Kelly held down the paint with 17 points (7-10 FG) and game highs in rebounds (9) and blocks (4).
Mason shot 50.8 percent (30-59) from the floor, including a blistering 60.7 percent (17-28) in the second half.
In that deciding second frame, Mason went down seven (47-40) at the 19:08 mark, but used an 11-4 spurt to take a 51-50 lead.
Mason led 63-62 with 10:31 to go, and at that point, Okojie became the Patriots' spark plug. He either got a big rebound or a steal on three consecutive possessions. Okojie burst up the floor on each and scored on one possession, then assisted to Hall on the next two. It was part of a 7-0 spurt that changed the dynamic of the game and gave the Patriots a 70-62 edge with 8:14 left.
Rhody would cut it to two (70-68) at the 6:38 mark but could not get closer for the remainder of the game, as Mason led by as many as 11 (86-75).
The win improves the Patriots to 11-1 inside EagleBank Arena this season.
George Mason now hits the road for a two-game swing, beginning with a Wednesday contest at Saint Joseph's. Tip-off in Philly between the Patriots and Hawks is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
