Patriots Win By Power of Three

George Mason 85, Towson 73

TOWSON, Md. -- Dre Smith scored 18 points, including five of George Mason's season-high 12 3-pointers, and the Patriots beat Towson 85-73 Wednesday night, handing the Tigers their season-high fourth straight defeat.

John Vaughn scored 19 points and Will Thomas added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Patriots (18-7, 10-4 Colonial Athletic Association), who have won four of five. George Mason improved to 24-8 all-time against Towson (9-15, 5-9).

Josh Thornton had a career-high 23 points and Tony Durant scored 18 for Towson, which has dropped 12 straight to the Patriots. Junior Hairston and Jonathan Pease each had 10 points and C.C. Williams dished out 10 assists.

Folarin Campbell added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Patriots.

Vaughn had 13 first-half points for George Mason, which averaged 6.6 3-pointers entering the game and was 8-for-13 from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes en route to a 46-30 halftime lead. At one point, the Patriots converted seven consecutive 3-point attempts.

Six of the 3-pointers came in a 27-7 run after a 3-pointer from Thornton tied the game at 11 with 11:31 left in the first half. Campbell and Smith, who finished 5-for-9 from long range, each had two 3-pointers during the spree.