Mitchell Richtmyre/Fourth Estate
Patriots extend Historic Win-Streak to 11 games before pivotal matchup vs. VCU
BY BRIAN A. HAYUM, STAFF WRITER
The Patriots fought back from a 16-point deficit to defeat the St. Joseph’s University Hawks on Saturday, Feb. 15, 58-57. The win extended the team’s streak to 11 games and improved its conference record to 12-1 and overall record to 21-5.
Senior forward Jaylen Haynes led the way with a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds, while senior guard K.D. Johnson scored nine crucial points to help complete the comeback. Senior guard Jared Billups contributed five steals on the defensive end.
Mason erased St. Joseph’s 16-point lead with a 17-0 run. At the start of the second half, the Patriots found their offensive spark through Haynes, who scored 12 of 17 points during the run.
“This team is really talented,” Haynes said after the win. “Tonight was my night, but anyone on our team can have a good game.”
The 11-game win streak, the third longest active streak in the nation, is beginning to garner national attention. This past week, Mason received votes in the AP Top 25 Poll, a weekly ranking released by the Associated Press which ranks the top 25 teams in the country. Although they did not make the top 25, their inclusion in the voting process shows that analysts across the nation are recognizing Mason’s historic performance and believe the team deserves a place on the national stage.
The Patriots’ win also means they stay atop the A-10 conference for another week, ahead of a crucial matchup in Richmond against state rival Virginia Commonwealth University. The Rams are behind the Patriots in the standings with a 10-2 record in conference play. This means the winner of next week’s game could have major implications for both teams vying for the A-10 regular season championship.
“I respect VCU. I think it’s a hell of a program, but we’re going to get on that bus and take that two-hour ride with the same mindset: it’s just another game,” said Patriots Head Coach Tony Skinn.
The Patriots head to Richmond to face the Rams on Saturday, Feb. 22, with tipoff at 4 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on USA Network as Mason looks to extend its win-streak to 12.