George Mason had a nice bounceback from a loss last weekend at Virginia Tech, on a big day for the Mason Basketball program – as the school honored former coach Jim Larrañaga and the 2006 Final Four Team.
The Patriots (10-1, NET: 55) never trailed in the 73-61 win over ODU (3-8, NET: 245) on Saturday.
The athletics department honored Larrañaga with a halftime ceremony in which a banner celebrating his storied George Mason career was permanently raised to the rafters. His 2006 team joined him on the floor to culminate a nostalgic week of festivities honoring the Kryptonite Kids’ 20th anniversary.
Mason jumped out to a 31-8 lead 12 minutes in, but the Monarchs went on an 18-0 run, and the margin stood at nine at the half.
A Zacch Wiggins layup would tie the score with 6:16 left, before the Patriots defense put the clamps down, holding ODU without a field goal for the next 4:29 during a 14-1 run that put the game away.
Riley Allenspach set the tone with a record-breaking performance for the Patriots out of the gate. He scored the first 17 points for the Green & Gold and started 8-of-8 from the floor en route to a career-best 26 points.
Masai Troutman chipped in 14 points and five rebounds, while Fatt Hill added 11 points.
“This is a great day for George Mason University and George Mason Basketball,” head coach Tony Skinn said. “It’s been a phenomenal last couple days, and an even better day today celebrating my former teammates and the best coach George Mason has ever had. I thought our guys did their jobs and celebrated in the right way by getting a good win.”
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Chris Graham
