FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team (11-1) headed into the holiday break with a win after dispatching of Loyola (Md.) Sunday afternoon inside EagleBank Arena.
The Patriots held a +12 (51-39) scoring edge in the second half to withstand a hot-shooting Greyhound side which hit 13 3-pointers in the game.
The victory moves the Green & Gold to 11-1 for just the third time in program history.
George Mason shot 55.6 percent in the second half (15-27) and received a boost from four student-athletes who ultimately ended the game in double figures.
Junior
Kory Mincy paced the Patriots with a game-high 26 points to go with four assists in 39 minutes. He went 10-of-11 from the line and officially wrapped his school record for free throws without a miss at an impressive 48.
Jahari Long added 18 points, six rebounds and a team-high five assists, while
Riley Allenspach chipped in 16 points, six rebounds and two steals.
Masai Troutman notched 15 points and made 9-of-10 free throws.
The Greyhounds led by as many as eight (33-25) in the first half before taking a 40-35 edge into the break.
An 11-0 run early in the second half by the Patriots pushed GMU up by three (46-43) and once the Patriots went up 61-58 with 8:24 left, they would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game.
George Mason will return from the holiday break to host Ivy League foe Penn next Sunday (Dec. 28) at 5 p.m. The game will wrap up the non-conference slate and be broadcast on ESPN+.
