On Wednesday, George Mason (3-5) hosted Morgan State (2-4) in their first game home after the Emerald Coast Classic.
Even before the game started, there was bad news.
Team spokesman says Grayer is day-to-day with a foot injury. Doesn’t feel 100%, being held out as a precaution. https://t.co/I3IJRXXQGa
— Petey Buckets (@peteybuckets) November 29, 2018
If Grayer misses more time, that will really hurt the Patriots.
RELATED: Jaire Grayer misses game with foot injury, listed as day-to-day
Anyway.
In the first half, the Patriots outscored the Bears 35-34 going 15-27 from the field, 4-10 from behind the arc, and recorded 15 rebounds.
Morgan State shot 13-30 on FG’s, 2-7 on 3’s, and recorded 16 rebounds.
This game should not have been this close at this point. Mason should have had at least a 10 to 15 point lead going into halftime, but obviously, that didn’t manifest.
In the second half, the Patriots went 13-30 for FG’s and 4-9 on 3’s, scoring 47 points. Additionally, Mason went 17-26 from the stripe and recorded 18 rebounds.
The Bears scored 41 points going 12-30 for FG’s, 2-7 on 3’s, and 24 rebounds. They also recorded 10 turnovers in the second half.
MASON WINS 82-75 TO MORGAN STATE
Some notable things from this game:
- First off, Mason should not have been out-rebounded at any point of this game, if you box out in this situation, 9/10 times the Patriots will come up with the ball. Reason?
This.
A little understated here. Morgan State has to have one of the ten smallest lineups in D1. https://t.co/n0BpDzG7Hc
— Petey Buckets (@peteybuckets) November 29, 2018
The 342nd team in average height to be exact.
- Gonar Mar is still struggling to find his rhythm, he only scored one point in this contest and registered 3 rebounds and 2 TOs.
- Justin Kier had a solid night scoring 14 points, going 4-9 from the field, 2-6 from 3, and a perfect 4-4 on FTs.
- Javon Greene scored the second-most points in the contest with 17 and registered 8 rebounds.
- Petey also offered these points:
Good stuff:
– Otis found his shot
– Javon found his shot
– Calixte got extended minutes
– AJ got minutes and made a bunch of plays— Petey Buckets (@peteybuckets) November 29, 2018
Bad stuff:
– taken to the wire at home by a bad MEAC team despite outshooting them from 2 + 3, winning the turnover battle, and our best player playing well. Need to win those by 25.
— Petey Buckets (@peteybuckets) November 29, 2018
- Otis Livingston II lead the way with 22 points going 7-13 from the field, 2-4 from three, a perfect 6-6 from the stripe, and dished out 7 assists. Also, #MasonRecords update from the SID himself:
With 22 points tonight, Otis Livingston II passes two Mason legends (Jai Lewis, Rudolph Jones) and moves into 11th on the all-time Patriot scoring list.@Slimm_4 now up to 1,537 career points #GetPatriotic
— Mark LaFrance (@GoMasonSID) November 29, 2018
All this being said, I’m concerned that if we are having solid performances from Mason’s best players, how is Mason still almost losing to “bottom of the barrel” DI teams?
Let us know why you think that is in the comments below!
Anyway.
Mason’s next game will be on the road as they take on former CAA foe William & Mary on Saturday, Dec. 1.
See you there.
