FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team (22-7, 10-6) cranked up the defensive pressure during a 71-58 victory over St. Bonaventure (15-14, 4-12) on Saturday afternoon inside EagleBank Arena.
The Patriots held the Bonnies' potent offense to just 37.5 percent, the lowest clip by a GMU foe since Feb. 7.
It marked a welcome return to form for George Mason, which earned its 22
nd win for just the eighth time in school history. The victory also gives the Patriots a 1.5 game lead for fifth place in the league standings and keeps the Green & Gold a game out of the last double bye in next month's A-10 Championship.
"It feels good to be back in EBA," head coach Tony Skinn ('06) said. "These guys have responded the last two days. Practice has been something else and it needed to be. It's been a long time since we punched first, and I thought against St. Bonnies today, they felt that and it got us off to a good start. I'm happy for these guys."
Offensively, the Patriots shot an efficient 48.1 percent and made an A-10 season-best 12 3-pointers on just 28 attempts (.429). George Mason also dished out 18 assists in the win.
Two Patriots scored 20+ points for the first time since November to pace GMU in the win.
Masai Troutman notched a season best with 21 points (7-12 FG, 4-8 3pt) and grabbed six rebounds and two steals, while
Riley Allenspach matched him with 21 points (9-14 FG, 3-5 3pt) and five rebounds. Allenspach is averaging 22.0 points over the Patriots past two contests.
Jahari Long added 11 points and dished out a game-high seven assists to go with four rebounds in 36 minutes.
George Mason never trailed in the game and led by as many as 20 (71-51) with 3:05 remaining.
The win improves the Patriots to 16-2 inside EagleBank Arena this season.
Next up, the Patriots play their final road game of the regular season Tuesday when they head to Richmond to take on VCU. Tip-off between the Patriots and Rams is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network.
