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Patriots Face a Sprint to the Finish in CAA
George Mason vs. Drexel
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When: 7 p.m.
Where: Patriot Center.
Records: Patriots 17-8, 10-5 Colonial Athletic Association; Dragons 14-10, 10-5.
Radio: WWRC (1260 AM).
TIGHT RACE: With three league contests remaining, both teams are one game behind co-leaders Virginia Commonwealth and Northeastern. The top seven teams are within two games of one another, making the CAA the most hotly contested conference in the country; no other league has more than five teams realistically vying for first place. The primary concern, however, is finishing in the top four and receiving a first-round bye in the CAA tournament, which begins March 6 in Richmond.
FARING WELL IN FAIRFAX: The Patriots are 12-0 at home this season and 25-1 the past two years, but the Dragons have the best road record in conference play (5-2). George Mason's 46.4 field goal shooting is the best in the CAA, but its 65.9 percent free throw accuracy is ninth. Drexel has made the fewest three-pointers in the league and its 28.6 percent success rate is last. Patriots F Darryl Monroe is first in field goal percentage (60.9) and second in rebounds per game (8.2) but is shooting 57.3 percent from the free throw line.
HE'S A BRUISER: Drexel's James "Bruiser" Flint is a leading candidate for CAA coach of the year honors; his team was predicted to finish last in the CAA but is tied for third with the Patriots. Since a 2-6 start, the Dragons have gone 12-4. Senior G Scott Rodgers is the team's best all-around player with averages of 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists, but seven different players have led the team in scoring the past 11 games. On Dec. 6 in Philadelphia, George Mason edged Drexel, 56-55.
-- Steven Goff
