The Patriots win big over Towson for sixth straight, 84-58

Senior Cam Long continued his strong play with 12 points, eight assists, five steals and four rebounds as the Patriots extended their winning streak to six games Thursday afternoon against Towson. (John Powell)

Despite the winter storm conditions, the George Mason Men’s Patriots (16-5, 8-2) were able to overcome a slow start and cruise past the Towson Tigers (4-16, 0-10), 84-58, for their sixth consecutive win in Colonial Athletic Association play.

The game, which was delayed 21 hours from Wednesday night’s scheduled 7 p.m. tipoff, was hardly a fight to the finish as a 23-0 Patriots scoring run which began in the first half and continued into the second, was enough to seal the win and bring GMU’s home winning streak to five games.

Although a 70 mile drive to Fairfax, VA took nearly 12 hours for Towson due to the snow, the team came out strong as an early 5-0 run in the first three and a half minutes of play put GMU on their heels.

“The weather was definitely an effect,” senior guard Cam Long said. “It caused some delays, it draws us back a little bit, but regardless of what happened, we got to always be prepared when it comes down to the line.”

The effects of the delay were evident, but the home team was able to shake off the struggles and recapture the lead following a 10-0 run of their own, but another three and a half minute scoreless drought from Mason kept Towson in the game. It took until the final minutes of the half for the Patriots to take full charge of the last-place team in the CAA conference.

“I thought our players did a very good job of meeting the challenge when we fell behind in the first half,” Head Coach Jim Larranaga said.

There were three lead changes in the first half until Mason grabbed the lead for good. They held the Tigers scoreless for more than four minutes, resulting in a 15-0 run due in large part to the team’s four steals and nine forced turnovers.

“It started with defense,” said senior Cam Long, who finished with a game-high five steals. “We finally got some stops, we were able to rebound and one thing coach emphasized [at halftime] was to run.”

The Patriots finished with seven blocked shots, 14 forced turnovers and eight steals, allowing them to run their way to a 13-2 advantage in fast break points. They also scored 16 points off Towson turnovers.

While Mason’s inside game dominated the Tigers in the first half, as they held a 14-point advantage in the paint, they evened their attack by catching fire in the second half from beyond the arc.

“This is probably the most balanced team in our conference,” Towson Head Coach Pat Kennedy said. “I think that’s what makes them so efficient.”

Mason shot better than 57 percent from the field in the second half, up from their 40 percent in the first, including 7-14 from three-point range. The team’s offense was led by sophomore forward Luke Hancock, who hit both of his three-point attempts. The home crowd erupted when his three point shot put Mason up by 30 points, 67-37. Hancock had a game-high 19 points, 16 of which came in the second half.

Junior guard Andre Cornelius and Long chipped in with 15 points and 12 points, respectively.

Rashad Polk led the Tigers with 19 points.

The two teams are headed in opposite directions, as tonight’s loss gave Towson its eighth loss in as many games and stuck at the bottom of the CAA standings. Mason will look to continue its winning ways when they face William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA Jan. 29.