GLEN ALLEN, Va. — George Mason (22-8, 16-2 Atlantic 10) narrowly topped Dayton (17-14, 9-9 Atlantic 10), 87-85, in an electrifying overtime showdown, seizing victory with 26 points off turnovers.
The action kicked off with George Mason setting a brisk pace, highlighted by
Kennedy Harris's consistent scoring, including a smooth jumper at 9:06 and a sharp 3-pointer at 5:04. The Patriots kept the momentum alive with sharp ball handling and timely assists, such as
Hawa Komara's dish to
Zahirah Walton for a jumper at 4:26. Despite a spirited effort from the Flyers, a late layup by
Jada Brown with 22 seconds on the clock solidified George Mason's lead. The first quarter wrapped with George Mason up 20-17.
The Green & Gold began the second quarter strong with a pair of jumpers from
Jada Brown, extending the score to 24–19. Dayton, however, answered with a flurry of baskets. Walton chipped in with a jumper and two free throws to close the gap to 31–28, but Dayton's offense pressed on.
MJ Johnson added a late jumper for George Mason, but a final layup from the Flyers ended the half with Dayton ahead, 38–32.
The Patriots surged back in the third quarter with a 9-point contribution from the bench, spearheaded by
Mary Amoateng's reliable inside scoring. Komara made crucial plays, snagging an offensive rebound and scoring at 9:09. Despite the Patriots' efforts, the Flyers edged the quarter 25-23, holding a slim lead into the final period at 63-55.
George Mason launched a fierce comeback in the fourth quarter, leveling the game at 71 with a pivotal layup by Walton at 2:05, fueled by fast breaks and tough defense. Johnson secured a critical offensive rebound, converting a layup at 1:04 to give George Mason a 75–73 lead. Dayton's Nayo Lear tied it at 75 with just six seconds left, the quarter ended in a stalemate. Regulation closed at 75-75.
In a nail-biting overtime, George Mason clinched the win in the dying moments of the game. Harris was instrumental, nailing key jumpers, including one at 4:03 that broke a tie. Walton added essential layups to maintain the edge. When Dayton tied it at 85 with 25 seconds remaining,
Louis Volker stepped up, grabbing an offensive rebound and sinking the game-winning put back at the buzzer. George Mason emerged victorious, 87-85, solidifying their spot in the A-10 Semifinals.
PATRIOT POINTS
UP NEXT
The Patriots will play the winner of Richmond and La Salle tomorrow, March 7, at 1:30 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network.
