First Half
Both teams came in with 11 wins on the season and both looking to secure a big conference win. VCU jumped out to take the early control but George Mason battled back to get it to a 1-point game. However, VCU started to pick up their defensive intensity late in the first half (around the six-minute mark). The Rams’ defense created turnovers and allowed them to get out in transition, eventually owning a 10-2 advantage in points off turnovers.
Santos-Silva led the way with 10 points and five rebounds in the first half for VCU, as the Rams shot 46 percent from the floor. Defensively, VCU kept George Mason outside the paint and the Patriots struggled from three going 2-for 13 (15 percent) from behind the arc. Simms also played well for VCU, both knocking down inside and outside shots for eight points in the first half.
Second Half
Much of the same continued for much of the second half. George Mason did come out strong to cut into the lead a little but VCU answered right back, holding their double-digit lead for the rest of the second half. The Patriots continued to struggle from three but did shoot 46 percent from the floor in the second half but never made any headway, being outscored 39-37.
In the end, VCU shot 45 percent from the floor, compared to 37 percent for George Mason. The Patriots shot only 25 percent from three (6-for-24), while VCU went a perfect 18-for-18 from the free-throw line and really got after it on the glass.
Final: VCU 72 – George Mason 59
Stats:
VCU: Marcos Santos-Silva: 26 points, 12 rebounds/ De’Riante
Jenkins 13 points/ Mike’L Simms 11 points
George Mason: Javon Greene 13 points/ Xavier Johnson 12 points/ Jordan Miller
11 points
Player of the Game:
Marcus Santos-Silva (VCU): The big man was feeling it today on the road, as he was effective throughout the game. With George Mason’s AJ Wilson in foul trouble (only playing 13 minutes), Santos-Silva attacked, showing great mobility, touch and being really active down low in the paint. The 250-pound, 6’7 junior displayed great footwork and found those openings, as he was seemingly all around the rim on both ends. He ended the game securing his 5th double-double of the season.
Key Stats/Trends:
- One key stat trend was the limited minutes of junior 6’7 big man AJ Wilson, who came in averaging nearly 12 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. He got into early foul trouble and only played 13 minutes, scoring zero points. Santos-Silva took advantage of that.
- VCU found success inside the paint, going 17-for-29 inside the box and holding a 34-26 advantage with points in the paint. VCU also found easy baskets, going 7-for-9 from under the basket.
- George Mason struggled from the right side throughout this game, going 4-for-13 from three on the right side and 1-for-7 from the right side inside the arc (outside the paint though).