Lucky Number 13: Mason Beats Drexel

By Broadside Sports Editor Brian Chan

The Patriots beat the Drexel Dragons in a close game, ending with a 49-48 victory. After falling behind 14-3 and shooting only 27 percent in the second half, the George Mason University men’s basketball team inched their way to their 13th home victory. Senior forward Darryl Monroe, who scored a game-high 15 points, put back senior guard Dre Smith’s missed layup with seven seconds left to win the game. Mason (18-8, 11-5) has yet to lose at home this season.

• Click through a photo gallery from the game.

Mason extended their home-winning streak to 13 games.

Monroe also led Mason with nine rebounds and four steals, and freshman forward Michael Morrison came off the bench with eight points and four rebounds. Mason closed out the first half with a 13-4 run after Drexel (14-11, 10-6) held a 20-11 lead with 6:36 left.

The largest lead in the second half was three points as both teams traded baskets. Drexel led 48-45 with 1:02 left in regulation after guard Scott Rodgers scored two of his 12 points on a jumper. After forward Evan Neisler picked up his fifth foul, Monroe drained both free throws to cut the lead to one with 43 seconds left. Neisler led Drexel with 14 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out.

After Monroe’s putback with 7.5 seconds left, forward Leon Spencer missed out on a game-winning opportunity as his shot hit the rim.

Despite shooting just 34 percent in the game, Mason forced 16 turnovers on defense. The win puts Mason in a tie for second place after the Northeastern Huskies fell to the Georgia State Panthers 70-68 on Wednesday night. The Virginia Commonwealth Rams still lead by one game after their victory over the Delaware Blue Hens.

Mason travels to Omaha, Neb. for Saturday’s BracketBuster matchup against the Creighton Bluejays.