Downing Towson
By Broadside Staff Writer Tim Blank
- Watch the highlights from the game here.
- See crisp, sharp photographs of the Patriots dominating the court here.
It was a night of celebration on many ends for the men’s basketball team against the Towson University Tigers on Saturday night. The night started with the recognition of the four senior players. Guards John Vaughan and Dre Smith and forwards Chris Fleming and Darryl Monroe were honored right before tipoff. Then after that, the Patriots (20-9, 13-5) went on ahead and played a strong physical game to win 71-59 against the Tigers (10-21, 5-13), clinching the team’s first ever home undefeated season with 14 wins.
“Your last home game is always special and you want to end it on a positive note,” said Head Coach Jim Larranaga.
Monroe and Smith led the way of four Patriots in double figures with 13 points each and Monroe added nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Cam Long contributed 11 points while freshman forward Michael Morrison added 10, which included a fiery alley-oop from Vaughan.
After falling behind 25-20 with 6:31 remaining in the half, the Patriots went on a 15-4 run to give them a 35-29 lead at halftime, which the Patriots used as a springboard for the rest of the game. Despite allowing Towson forward Junior Hairston to score 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting, the defense managed to hold all but one other player for Towson under 10 points and held them to 37 percent shooting throughout the game.
“I told the team that one of our keys is balance, if we can get four or five players in double figures, we’re going to be pretty tough,” said Larranaga.
Mason now prepares for the CAA Tournament in Richmond, Va. on March 6-9. The win, coupled with the Northeastern University Huskies’ loss to the Old Dominion University Monarchs, clinched a number two seed for the Patriots, meaning their first game will be Saturday, March 7 at 6 p.m. against the winner of Friday’s game between the James Madison University Dukes and College of William & Mary Tribe.
“We’re excited being the number two seed in the tournament and we’re looking forward to Richmond,” said Larranaga.
The players also share the confidence that Larranaga has about this tournament.
“We understand if we go down there and do the things that we have been doing at home, which is basically staying solid on defense and making shots and sharing the ball, we will be there to cut the nets down Monday night,” said Vaughan.
One scary moment during the game occurred with 13 and a half minutes left in the game when the fifth-year senior tried to recover a missed alley-oop from Morrison. Vaughan dove headfirst into the stands, bringing memories back of his concussion that kept him out for two games earlier in the season.
“I guess I learned from Shaquille O’Neal,” joked Vaughan when he was asked about it, but he soon got serious and answered.
“My elbow got caught under the stairs, but I was more concerned about the lady, she was crying. I didn’t want to go out like a bully,” said Vaughan.
Freshman forward Ryan Pearson, who has averaged seven points and four rebounds this season, did not dress for the Patriots because of a deep bruise on his right hand.
“I’m thinking, praying, hoping that with a few days rest and some treatment, that his hand will heal up good enough for him to play,” said Larranaga.
Entering the game, Fleming scored only two points this season. Fleming made his first field goal of the season with 8:28 left in the first half.
Three years ago, Vaughan and Fleming were part of the Final Four team. With the conference tournament just ahead, Mason looks to make another miraculous run.
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