FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team (12-1) etched its place into program history with an 83-79 victory over Penn (6-6) Sunday night inside EagleBank Arena.
The victory gave the Patriots 12 non-conference victories for just the second time in school history and first since 1983-84. It's the most non-league wins for George Mason in the program's CAA/A-10 era (1985-present).
The Quakers entered the game with confidence, having already beaten A-10 programs La Salle and Saint Joseph's and narrowly losing at Rutgers (71-69) in the final second.
Penn led by as many as six (60-54) early in the second half, but big boosts off the George Mason bench propelled the Patriots to victory and showcased the depth that has defined the team through its non-conference success.
Nick Ellington provided some of that lift with his best game of the season. The St. Louis, Mo., product tallied his first double-double of his Mason career with season bests in points (16) and rebounds (11). He made seven of his 10 field goal attempts.
Fatt Hill scored 12 of his season-best 18 points in the second half and shot 7-of-8 from the floor, while
Kory Mincy (16 points) and
Jahari Long (12 points, five assists) also put together key contributions in the win.
The Patriots shot 56.7 percent from the floor and 73.3 percent from 2-point range, helping offset a 1-of-15 night from beyond the arc and 14-of-28 performance from the free throw line.
George Mason held sizable advantages in bench scoring (38-13) and points in the paint (54-32) for the contest.
Next up, George Mason opens A-10 play with a New Year's Eve showdown at La Salle. Tip-off between the Patriots and Explorers in Philly is set for 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
