Offense Comes Alive Long Logs in Another Career High

The men’s basketball team continued its hot streak in conference play this past Tuesday in Hempstead, N.Y., defeating the Hofstra Pride 90-72. Mason (12-7, 7-1) extended its win streak to four games and won its second straight road game. The team won its fifth straight against the Pride (9-11, 2-6).

Junior guard Cam Long led the Patriots with a career-high 27 points and seven assists, shooting 9-of-11 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range. In his last game, Long matched his career high of 24 points.

Mason also received key contributions from the three sophomores on the team.
Scoring in double figures were forwards Ryan Pearson and Mike Morrison with 19 points and 10, respectively, and guard Andre Cornelius with 18.

Pearson nearly recorded his second double-double of the season, falling one rebound shy. Mason started the contest red hot from the floor, similar to last weekend’s game against the James Madison Dukes.

On Tuesday night, Mason shot 46.7 percent from the field, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range. Mason closed the first half with a 13-6 run to hold a 38-30 lead. Mason never trailed in the second half, building their lead as much as 20 points. The Patriots shot tremendously well in the second half, making 66.7 percent on 24 attempts.

Hofstra struggled from the field throughout the contest, shooting only 39 percent in the first half and 40 percent in the game. Hofstra had two players with 20 or more points in the contest.

Guards Charles Jenkins and Chaz Williams recorded 26 points and 20, respectively. Jenkins raised his scoring season average to 18.6 points after the loss. After the VCU Rams routed the William & Mary Tribe with a 22-point victory, the conference leader was nailed down to three teams: Mason, Old Dominion Monarchs and the Northeastern Huskies.

It was crucial for Mason to win on the road, improving their overall roa
d record to 3-4 and 3-1 in the conference. Mason wrapped up their road trip Saturday, against the Towson Tigers.

Entering the game, Mason was a perfect 15-0 against the Tigers since Towson’s inception in the Colonial Athletic Association.