Patriots Upend 18th-Ranked Wildcats
George Mason 87, No. 18 Kansas State 77
Friday, November 23, 2007; 1:16 AM
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- John Vaughan scored 21 points and Folarin Campbell and Will Thomas each added 18 to lead George Mason to an 87-77 upset of No. 18 Kansas State in the opening round of the Old Spice Classic on Thursday night.
The Patriots (4-0), who made a surprising run to the Final Four two seasons ago, have won four straight to start a season for the first time in school history. They advanced to Friday's second round against No. 20 Villanova, a 76-68 winner over Central Florida.
  Kansas State's Blake Young, center, puts up a shot between George Mason's Louis Birdsong, left, and Vlad Moldoveanu during the first half of their basketball game at the Old Spice Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) (Phelan M. Ebenhack - AP) TOOLBOXCOMMENT |
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Michael Beasley had at least 30 points for the third time in four games for Kansas State (3-1). But the 6-foot-10 freshman rode the bench for long stretches because of foul trouble and the Wildcats were unable to make up for his absence.
Beasley scored 22 after halftime to finish with 30 points and 10 rebounds. But he got little help from his teammates until it was too late.
George Mason built a 39-30 halftime lead, taking advantage of Beasley sitting out the last 7:52 of the opening half. The Patriots led by as many 15 after intermission and withstood every challenge Kansas State posed in the final 15 minutes.
The score was tied at 20 when Beasley picked up his second foul and left the game with just under 8 minutes remaining in the first half. George Mason scored eight quick points to begin a 19-10 run that carried the Patriots to their halftime lead.
Beasley made 13 of 20 shots, but Kansas State was just 2-of-16 on 3-point attempts and never got closer than six points, 69-63, in the second half. Vlad Moldoveanu answered with a 3-pointer, then Campbell followed with a layup and free throw to put George Mason back in control.
Moldoveanu finished with 11 points and Jordan Carter added 10 for George Mason.
Jacob Pullen scored 14 points and Bill Walker had 11 before fouling out with 4:27 left. Beasley picked up his third foul 18 minutes left and drew his fourth with 8:29 remaining. He left the game both times, but was able to finish and match his season scoring average.
