Loyola (MD) 61 George Mason 65
Jordan Miller’s three pointer with 5:40 left in the game proved to be the catalyst that the Patriots needed in their 65-61 win over Loyola (MD). At the time Mason was only up by a point when Miller was on the business end of a Jamal Hartwell II assist.
Both teams struggled in the first half from both the field and free throw line. Neither team shot 40% in the half and Mason was 2-7 from the free throw line while Loyola (MD) was 1-6
The second half proved to be much better for both offenses. Sophomore Jordan Miller continues to prove that his time is the second half as he scored 18 points. He would finish with 23 points
For the Greyhounds it was Andrew Kostecka who came out in the second half and gave Loyola (MD) a spark. Kostecka scored 11 quick points to start the half. He would finish with 20 points.
With the game close, George Mason head coach, Dave Paulsen, invoked the “hack-a-Shaq” on Loyola’s Golden Dike. Dike would only make 2-13 free throws, two of nine in the second half.
In the last 26 seconds, Miller and freshman Xavier Johnson combined for six made free throws.
Josh Oduro Needs More Time
Oduro is growing into his role off the bench but the freshman is growing into a good mismatch for opponents. He doesn’t have the athleticism that AJ Wilson has but he’s a legitimate low post threat. Tonight he only got eight minutes. That might have been because of how close the game was but getting him more minutes before the Atlantic 10 season starts is a must.
Kostecka Proves to be a Tough Match Up
Coming into the game Loyola’s all-everything senior was the biggest threat to the Patriots. In the first 20 minutes, the Patriots did a great job preventing him from touching the ball in quality scoring zones. Kostecka was only 2-7 in the first half but the second half was a different story. Kostecka quickly got off to a 5-5 from the floor, 1-1 from the free throw line start on his way to (points) for the game.
AJ Struggles
AJ Wilson had his first game where he truly struggled. He was 1-9 from the field but he did have an unusually good night from the free throw. He was largely a non-factor on the defensive end though. He only had one block shot and he really didn’t change any shots at the rim. Loyola (MD) was able to get to the front of the rim and was extremely effective when they post Kostecka up.
