It was like old times. When James Madison comes to town, there’s extra electricity in the air.
This as the 95th meeting with each team having won 47 games. Mason has won three in a row coming into tonight. Make that four in a row as the Patriots walked away with a 83-70 victory. This is the third time in program history that Mason has started the season 4-0.
George Mason was led by Jamal Hartwell II’s 18 points. Hartwell II was one of three players in double-digits. Javon Greene had 14 and Jordan Miller chipped in with 12.
For James Madison, they were led by Matt Lewis’ 19 points led the Dukes. Julien Wooden also had a solid game with a couple of electrifying dunks on his way to 17 points.
From jump, this was a game you knew you wanted more and more as it went on.
It the first half George Mason got it’s usual contributions from their starters but then there was a wild card. Freshman Josh Oduro had a big first half with eight points and five rebounds. “I thought when he (Oduro) was in there, he was phenomenal,” said Paulsen
For James Madison it was all Matt Lewis in the first half. Despite shooting 2-7, he had 12 at the half on the strength on a 7-7 performance on the free throw line.
In the second half, the Patriots offense kicked in. After going scoreless in the first half, super sophomore, Jordan Miller, scored 12 in the second half. Hartwell II also caught fire in the second half scoring 15 of his game high 18 points in the final 20 minutes.
The Dukes were in striking distance with 3:40 left after a Michael Christmas layup cut the lead to five.
But the Patriots responded closing the game on a 10-2 run.
Notes:
- After only shooting 35.1% in the first half, George Mason shot 52.8% in the second.
- Freshman Josh Oduro had a career high 6 rebounds
- AJ Wilson and Greg Calixte combined for 9 of the 10 blocked shots
Quotes:
Coach Paulsen (on shooting well in the second half) -“We were a little more patient moving the ball”
Hartwell II (on having one big half a game) – “One half it is falling. One half it isn’t falling”
