George Mason outlasted George Washington 80-77 (2 OT) in the Revolutionary Rivalry.
Both teams had a chance to end the game before the second overtime. At the end of regulation, the Revolutionaries missed two free throws, and at the end of the first overtime, Brayden O'Connor made a layup after the buzzer.
"That was a phenomenal atmosphere and a phenomenal college basketball game," head coach Tony Skinn said. "Shoutout to Mason Nation – they brought the energy. That was high level. We don't win that game without them. We have to keep it going. I have to give credit to these guys – the way we defend, the way we get after it and all the things we've been doing has us trending up. They're doing everything we're asking them to as a coaching staff. I'm so happy for them."
Free Throw Shooting
The good thing for Mason was that they generated 36 free throws. The bad thing is that they only made 23. The Patriots have a decided-size advantage over most teams in the Atlantic 10, but teams are taking their chance on sending them to the free-throw line. Jalen Haynes and Giovanni Emejuru shot a combined 6-13 from the free-throw line.
Luckily for the Patriots, George Washington wasn't efficient from the charity stripe either. The Revolutionaries finished 17-27 from the free throw line, including Rafael Castro's two missed free throws with 1.9 seconds left in regulation, and the game tied at 61.
Haynes Fouls Out
Jalen Haynes was no match inside, even though he missed three contested layups and several free throws. Haynes finished the game with 17 points and eight rebounds but fouled out with 1:42 left in regulation.
One of the fouls came on a double technical with Sean Hansen.
That left George Mason without a reliable inside option in overtime. The Patriots had to depend on players creating plays rather than running a play to get the ball inside and playing off of that.
Turnovers/2nd Chance Points
In a multiple overtime game, getting points off turnovers and second-chance points are difference makers.
Neither team was very good with ball security, but George Mason got 23 points off 18 turnovers. The Patriots weren't much better. They committed 15 turnovers, but the Revolutionaries only converted them for 12 points.
George Mason also won the second-chance points battle. The Patriots had 15 offensive rebounds for 16 points, while George Washington had 14 for 12 points.