George Mason snapped a three-game losing streak to Virginia Commonwealth and extended its undefeated home record to 10-0 with a 63-51 win over the Rams in front of 7,912 passionate fans at Patriot Center.
In a performance worthy of a senior who will go down as one of the best ever to play for the Patriots (15-6, 7-3 Colonial Athletic Association), Will Thomas had 21 points and 15 rebounds, including ten second-half boards.
Jamal Shuler had 21 points for the Rams (15-5, 8-2), but dynamic point guard Eric Maynor was held to one second-half field goal, finishing with 12 points and two assists. The 12-point loss was the worst margin of defeat this season for VCU, which toppled George Mason in all three of the teams’ meetings last year, including the CAA title game.
After the teams came out of halftime tied, 25-25, the Rams pushed ahead, 39-33, with 11:30 remaining. But the Patriots went on a 20-4 run to pull ahead, with Dre Smith’s steal and layup pushing their lead to double figures for the first time, 53-43.
