FAIRFAX, Va. – Down three key players early in the season, the George Mason University men's basketball team withstood a tenacious Winthrop squad during a 96-90 triumph on Friday night inside EagleBank Arena.
 
Missing the talents of Preseason All-A-10 First Teamer Brayden O'Connor (foot), Masai Troutman (ankle) and Fat Hill (leg), the Patriots dropped 95+ plus points against a Div. I foe for the first time since 2016 and received key contributions from across the roster.
 
The Eagles knocked down 12 3-pointers, went 26-of-29 from the free throw line and turned it over just six times, but the Patriots held a commanding 50-31 rebounding edge and made 11 triples of their own to withstand the furious Eagles' pace.
 
"We talked about protecting the culture and protecting our standard," head coach Tony Skinn ('06) said. "I'm just proud of these guys, looking on the sideline and seeing players we depend on. This was a tough, tough game. Winthrop's a team that's going to be really good in their league. For these guys to step up the way they did, I'm a happy man."
 
Junior guard Kory Mincy continued his torrid start in a George Mason uniform, pouring in a career-high 29 points (9-16 FG, 4-9 3pt, 7-7 FT) in 35 minutes. He's averaging four triples per game and 23.5 points/contest over his first two games.
 
Graduate guard Jahari Long also starred for the Patriots with career bests in points (22) and rebounds (8) to go along with a team-high four assists. The two guards combined for 51 points on the night.
 
Graduate forward Nick Ellington chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds, while junior Malik Presley added eight points and six rebounds in 36 minutes. Freshman Emmanuel Kanga tallied a game-high 10 rebounds and posted a team-best +19 in +/- for the game.
 
Winthrop led by as many as six (47-41) in the first half and led by five (58-53) with 13:23 remaining. The Patriots took a 72-68 lead with 6:46 left, but an 8-2 spurt from the Eagles put Winthrop back in front 76-74. With GMU ahead 81-80, the Patriots put together a critical 9-0 run which gave the Green & Gold a 10-point edge (90-80) with 1:18 to go.
 
Next up, the Patriots remain in Fairfax to host Catawba on Tuesday night. Tip-off on Veteran's Day is set for 7 p.m.