DAVIDSON, N.C. – Behind major performances from a number of Patriot reserves and a vintage effort from the program's marquee player, the George Mason University men's basketball team  (16-8, 5-6) picked up a crucial 57-55 victory at Davidson (13-10, 3-7) on Saturday afternoon inside Belk Arena.
 
The Patriots led 54-47 with 2:04 left, then withstood a furious late rally by the Wildcats to pick up their fourth road win of the season.
 
Mason received 26 critical bench points from its reserves and enjoyed a 25-point performance from Keyshawn Hall, who scored 23 of those points in the second half.
 
"That game was exactly what a total team effort is all about," head coach Tony Skinn ('06) said. "With a starter who's the heart and soul of your team out, bench guys stepped up and earned hard hat awards. We just found a way in the second half. We've learned a lot from the tough losses we've been through. Tonight, we were able to capitalize in end of game situations to get the win."
 
The Patriots' trademark defense returned with a vengeance Saturday, as the Green & Gold held the Wildcats to 34.6 percent (18-52) for the game and a 25.9 percent (7-27) mark from 3-point range.
 
Hall's 25 included a 3-of-5 clip from beyond the arc and a 10-for-11 tally from the free throw line. It marked the second-straight 10+ free throw contest from the Cleveland, Ohio, product, who ranks fourth in the A-10 in scoring in league games.
 
"Down the stretch I had to get the ball in Keyshawn's hands," Skinn said. "I thought they had a hard time guarding him and keeping him from getting downhill. He had a big offensive rebound that was the play of the game. He led us to this big road win."
 
Graduate guard Tre' Wood added a season-best 12 points (5-7 FG) and grabbed four rebounds, while freshman Austin Ball (3-5 FG, 2-3 3pt FG) matched his career best with eight points in 19 minutes on the floor.
 
Senior forward Malik Henry also provided a big boost with six points (3-4 FG) and eight rebounds in 19 minutes.
 
Behind those efforts, the Patriots held a sizable +22 (26-4) edge in bench scoring for the game.
 
Mason missed six of its first eight shots as Davidson built an early 11-6 lead. The Patriots responded with an 11-2 spurt – capped by an Austin Ball 3-pointer – to go up 15-13 with 6:46 to play in the half. The Patriots took a 26-25 edge into the break.
 
After trailing by two or four for much of the first leg of the second half, the Patriots pushed in front (38-37) after a 3-point play from Hall with 10:06 to play. Mason extended it to seven (44-37) as part of a 9-0 run, then went up eight at 48-40.
 
With the Patriots ahead 54-47 with 2:04 left, Davidson scored five in a row to cut it to two (56-54) with 53 seconds left. Mason got it back to four (56-54) after a big putback from Hall, but Reed Bailey converted a 3-point play on the other end to move Davidson within one (56-55) with 13 seconds to go.
 
Wood made one of two free throws on the other end, but Mason did not give up a shot on Davidson's final possession as the Patriots held on for the win.
 
George Mason returns home for two straight in Fairfax. First up is a rivalry game against George Washington on Tuesday (Feb. 13). Tip-off between the Patriots and Revolutionaries is set for 7 p.m. The game will be televised on MASN and streamed on ESPN+.