George Washington survives #RevRivalry despite George Mason surge

George Mason shot 48.5 percent in the second half and erased a 10-point deficit Sunday afternoon against George Washington, but the Colonials survived late for a 76-70 Revolutionary Rivalry victory. Freshman Otis Livingston II contributed a career-high 18 points and seven assists in 38 minutes of playing time.

 

GAME NOTES

-The lead changed 10 times in the game before GW grabbed its final advantage with 2:29 left on the clock. The Colonials held their largest lead of 10 points following a 13-0 run over four minutes with 9:36 to go.
-Leading by two at the halftime break, Mason came out and gained its largest lead of the contest, 34-29, off a Marko Gujanicic bucket at 18:33. GW responded with a 10-0 spurt to gain a five-point advantage before Shevon Thompson jumpstarted an 8-0 answer from the Patriots, setting up a 42-39 Mason lead with 13:47 left in the second half.
-Yuta Watanabe snapped the run with a three-point play to tie the contest and ignite the 13-0 GW run leading to their 10-point advantage.
-A gritty Mason team battled back over the next four minutes and a DeAndre Abram dunk off a Livingston feed at 5:15 tied the contest at 59-59. Jalen Jenkins gave the Patriots their final lead with a layup at 4:48 before GW went 13-for-14 at the free throw line and 2-for-5 from the field in the final five minutes of action to secure the victory.
-GW led the majority of the first half until Danny Dixon gave Mason a one-point lead at 3:46 following a Livingston triple. The Patriots closed the first half with an 8-2 run to lead 31-29 at the halftime break

 

STAT BREAKDOWN

-For the game, Mason shot 37.3 percent (25-67) and 76.5 percent (13-17) from the charity stripe. GW shot 32.8 percent (20-61) from the field and 83.3 percent (30-36) from the free throw line.
-Livingston led the Patriots with 18 points followed by Marquise Moore with 10 points for the only two Patriots in double-figures. Shevon Thompson led Mason in the rebounding battle with 12 boards as the Patriots won the battle on the glass, 47-42.
-Patricio Garino paced the Colonial offense with 19 points followed by Tyler Cavanaugh with 15 points. Kevin Larsen posted a double-double behind 10 points and 11 rebounds. Yuta Watanabe finished with 11 points, nine coming from the charity stripe.

 

NEXT ON THE COURT

-After a two-game homestand, Mason returns to the road for a midweek matchup at Richmond at Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m.