Mitchell Richtmyre/Fourth Estate
The best overall start for Mason since the 2010-2011 season
BY BRIAN A. HAYUM, STAFF WRITER
The George Mason Patriots won handily against The University of Rhode Island Rams, on Saturday, Feb. 8, with a score of 82-67. Now, with a nine-game win streak and an overall record of 19-5, it marks the program’s best overall start record since the 2010-11 season.
The win came in front of a packed and raucous Homecoming Weekend crowd. “I told these guys before the game, ‘These are the games you’re going to remember for the rest of your life,’” Head Coach Tony Skinn said. “At the same time, I wanted them to have a little bit of poise and not get too sped up in a game like this.”
Despite the pregame message, the Patriots came out fast, firing on all cylinders. Senior guard Darius Maddox started the night off with a three-pointer from the top of the arc–one of seven three-pointers made by the Patriots in the first half, tying for the second-most three-pointers made in the first half this season.
“I just stuck to my routine,” Maddox said after his game-high 24 points and four three-pointers. “I just try to find a good balance mentally, to just be confident to shoot the next one.”
While Maddox had a great shooting night from beyond the arc and the floor overall, (8-12 FG), he was not alone. Senior forward Jaylen Hanes finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, while freshman guard Justin Begg added 12 points; making three of four three-pointers.
“I’m obviously excited, but it’s a team effort,” Begg said about his improved play and increased role off the bench. “All the guys were involved today offensively and defensively, and that’s what we teach every day in practice.”
“What you guys are seeing in Justin Begg is something that I saw when I recruited him,” Skinn said. “I think he’s our best natural playmaker, and he’s learning defensively to give us what we need.”
The Patriots remain at the top of the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 10-1 record. “It feels great to be this high in the conference with only one loss,” Maddox said. “At the end of the day, especially me being a fifth year, understanding that we still have a lot of ball games to play, I just have to take it day-by-day.”
The Patriots will take on the Saint Louis Billikens in their penultimate away game of the season on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 8:00 p.m., streaming only on ESPN+.