FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team (9-0) matched the tenacity of one of the nation's top offenses Tuesday night during a 99-81 win over Cornell (5-3) inside EagleBank Arena.
 
The Big Red entered the game leading the nation in 3-pointers per game (15.3) and ranking eighth in scoring offense (94.3 ppg), but the Patriots responded to the Cornell onslaught with a 55.7 percent shooting night and a 10-of-20 performance (.500) from beyond the arc.
 
The Patriots shot a sizzling 71 percent (22-31) in the second half to continue the best start to a season in program history.
 
"This was a good outcome for us and a great second half effort," head coach Tony Skinn ('06) said. "That's a good team and a great test for us. I'm happy with our collective effort. We had six guys in double figures and we needed all the offense we could use. I'm just happy we were able to get another win."
 
Six Patriots scored in double figures, led by junior Malik Presley, who poured in a career-best 17 points (7-10 FG, 3-5 3pt) to go with two assists and two steals in 31 minutes.
 
A-10 Player of the Week Kory Mincy added 16 points, seven rebounds and a team-high four assists, while Jahari Long scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half while dishing out four assists of his own.
 
Masai Troutman (14 pts, 3 ast) and Fatt Hill (11 pts, 2 ast) also made key contributions, and freshman Emmanuel Kanga chipped in a career-best 10 points (4-5 FG) to go with six rebounds.
 
George Mason held a sizable 46-30 edge in points in the paint for the game and turned seven steals into a 22-10 advantage in fast break points.
 
Cornell jumped out to a 13-7 lead, but the Patriots responded with a 10-0 run to take a 17-13 advantage. The Big Red retook the lead at 36-35, but GMU scored seven of the final 11 points of the half to take a 42-40 lead into the break.
 
The Patriots held a +16 (57-41) scoring edge in the second half, including a 19-4 run midway through the frame which game GMU a 73-56 edge with 8:33 to go.

George Mason's 99-point effort marked the program's highest scoring output against a Div. I team since a 101-point outburst vs. UNC Wilmington on Jan. 3, 2009.

The Patriots now head to Blacksburg for a Saturday matchup with ACC foe Virginia Tech. Tip-off between the Patriots and Hokies is set for 3 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.