Torrent of 3-Pointers Buries GW

George Washington Coach Karl Hobbs reacts during his team's 77-44 loss to Vanderbilt. The Colonials' scoring output was their lowest of the season. (Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP)

The Commodores made three consecutive three-pointers to push their lead to 11 little more than seven minutes into the game. The lead grew to 20 eight minutes later when Byars hit from long range. A few minutes later, Vanderbilt again made three three-pointers in a row to push the lead to 25. The Colonials had braced for a sharpshooting team but not one that would sink every open look.

"They had 10 threes by the half," Rice said. "You knew it was going to be a long night."

Shortly after the tournament matchups were announced, the Commodores faced questions about GW's defense. Vanderbilt Coach Kevin Stallings said the scrutiny of his team's ability to play against pressure served as motivation for the Commodores, who responded by exploiting the Colonials' defense.

"They played a perfect kind of strategy against the way we like to play," Hobbs said. "Before we could come to trap the ball, it was already out of their hands. They did a good job of spreading us out and it was very, very effective."

The Colonials responded by briefly expanding their half-court trap into the full court, but the Commodores found more holes in the defense.

Senior Carl Elliott closed out his GW career with eight points and spent the latter part of the second half offering encouragement as walk-ons checked into the game.

"I enjoyed my experience here," said Elliott, who holds several GW records. "For us to come this far with a young basketball team means a lot to me."

Senior Regis Koundjia scored seven points, all from the free throw line, and senior Dokun Akingbade finished with five points and nine rebounds.

"This year was a wonderful experience," Akingbade said. "It's tough to go out like this."