| Page 2 of 2 < |
George Mason Wins Its Way Back
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
The Patriots led by eight early, but the Tribe responded to pull within one at the break.
With the way Mason's play had deteriorated and the Tribe's shooting had improved, there was a growing sense that another upset was brewing. But 90 seconds into the second half, Shaver called a timeout after John Vaughan's baseline floater and Thomas's putback. Things only got worse as Dre Smith made a lane jumper and the Tribe continued to stumble.
Campbell finally got on track, hitting a three-pointer, for a 10-point advantage. David Schneider ended the Tribe's drought with two free throws at the 16-minute 22-second mark, but Thomas powered for a layup and Campbell drilled another three-pointer for a 41-30 advantage.
The Tribe found a shooting rhythm, but at the other end it could not stop the Patriots -- more specifically, Campbell and Fleming. Fleming made a jumper and a driving layup, and after hitting another three-pointer, Campbell fed Long for an alley-oop dunk and a 13-point lead.
Fleming made "some timely baskets for us and when he did, I could sense the emotional lift it gave the other guys," Larranaga said. "When Folarin scores, that's routine. When Will scores, that's routine, but when Chris Fleming scores, everyone is excited."
The Tribe drew within seven on Kisielius's fourth three-pointer with 4 1/2 minutes left, but did not make another shot until just 15 seconds remained. Mason's 14-of-16 free throw shooting down the stretch sealed victory and another trip to the NCAAs.
"There's no pressure on us," Thomas said. "No one has been talking about us being on the bubble or anything. . . . We can go a little under the radar. We're going to go and have the most fun of any team at the NCAA tournament."
