Mason tops slumping VCU

Final Score: George Mason 86, VCU 80.
Location: Fairfax, Va. (EagleBank Arena)
Updated Records: George Mason 16-1, 4-0  in A-10), VCU 11-6, 2-2 in A-10.

In a nutshell: In losing its second consecutive game, once again, VCU's late-game defense proved to be inadequate. In the second half of Saturday's tilt, George Mason made 60 percent (15-of-25) of its shots from the field. To be fair, both Saint Louis and Mason are good teams that can be expected to contend for invitations to the Big Dance.  

Meanwhile, the good news for VCU is that the Rams will face the Billikens and the Patriots again during the regular season, so VCU will have an opportunity to get even with both of them.   

Some VCU stats: Lazar Djokovic scored a game-high 23 points. He sank seven of his nine  field goal attempts and converted all nine of his shots from the charity stripe. Djokovic also grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists. Coming off the bench Terrence Hill scored 16 points, got six rebounds and handed out four assists. 

NOTES (Information provided by Chris Kowalczyk, VCU Assistant A.D.)

·  In all, five VCU players reached double figures, including junior forward Michael Belle (11), sophomore guard Brandon Jennings (11) and freshman guard Nyk Lewis (10).

·  George Mason shot 56 percent from the field in the game. The Patriots also knocked down 21-of-24 free throws, including 18-of-20 in the second half.

·  George Mason owned a 44-36 scoring edge in the paint. The Rams owned a 31-29 rebounding advantage.

·  Riley Allenspach and Fatt Hill sparked the Patriots with 16 points each.

·   The Rams took a 56-55 lead with 9:23 left on a drive and layup by Hill. George Mason responded with an 8-0 run, capped by a layup by Jahari Long, to grab a 63-56 advantage with 7:04 remaining. The Patriots never trailed again.

·  The game featured seven ties and eight lead changes.

·  VCU shot 47 percent (27-of-57) from the field in the contest.

·  VCU leads the overall series with George Mason 49-23. The Rams had won seven straight at EagleBank arena, prior to Saturday’s loss.

BOXSCORE

NEXT UP: VCU will travel to Kingston, R.I. to face the Rhode Island Rams on Wednesday, January 14. Tipoff at 6 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network.

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