FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team held its opponent to under 50 points for the second time this season en route to a 61-44 victory over New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon inside EagleBank Arena.
George Mason limited the Wildcats to just 31.4 percent from the floor and 22.2 percent (4-18) from beyond the arc for the game.
A 2-for-20 (.100) night from 3pt range by the Patriots prevented a more lopsided margin of victory, but the solid defense, coupled with a 34-22 edge in points in the paint, helped the Green & Gold move to 4-0 for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
"This is a good win," head coach
Tony Skinn ('06) said. "I'm not satisfied with our spirit in the first half, but I thought we came to life in the second half. We have some work to do. I need to challenge these guys to understand what the standard is. That's the work of art and that's why we do what we do."
Graduate forward
Dola Adebayo led the Patriots with a season-best 14 points in addition to eight rebounds, a career-high four steals and three blocks in 22 minutes.
Junior forward
Riley Allenspach added his first career double-double on his birthday, tallying 13 points to go with 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Malik Presley notched nine points (3-5), three rebounds and two assists, while
Kory Mincy grabbed a career-best 10 rebounds to go with nine points.
The Patriots, who entered the game ranked 18th nationally in free throws made/game (18.0), converted 21-of-27 (.778) in the win.
George Mason led by four (29-25) at the half and by that margin (40-36) with 11:40 remaining. But from there, the Patriots used a 15-2 run to go up 17 (55-38) and at that point continued to ramp up the defensive pressure and ultimately closed out the win.
The Patriots wrap up their five-game homestand to begin the season with a 7 p.m. contest vs. Jacksonville on Tuesday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
