LET THE PILLOW FIGHTS BEGIN!
#12 George Mason vs #13 Saint Joseph’s
George Mason opened the 2020 Atlantic 10 Tournament with a matchup against #13 Saint Joseph’s.
Here’s how Barclays set up for the event. We love a good timelapse:
We never get tired of seeing this transformation 🤩 – thanks for having us @barclayscenter 👋 pic.twitter.com/6twy8UmYIu
— Atlantic 10 MBB (@A10MBB) March 11, 2020
The day started out with a bang, as AJ Wilson swatted Ryan Daly in the opening minutes…
AJ's first block of the tourney pic.twitter.com/dZTI3oMNsc
— Ryan Kish (@gmuhoops) March 11, 2020
AJ Wilson was the star of the day for Mason, posting a career-high 24 points.
We thought the game was over when AJ slammed this put-back home. But oh, if you thought Mason could win a game easy, you must be new around here.
Calixte is all of us watching the @Aj12Wilson dunk party today pic.twitter.com/szkaklA4LL
— Barstool GMU (@BarstoolGMason) March 11, 2020
But Mason held on for dear life, and won 77-70 over the Hawks.
Final:
#12 George Mason 77
#13 Saint Joseph's 70The Hawks late rally falls just short, as Mason advance to face Bona. AJ Wilson led the way with a career-high 24 points, along with 19 from Jordan Miller. Ryan Daly led SJU with 28 points. Mason out-rebounded SJU 47-27 overall.
— A10 Talk (@A10Talk) March 11, 2020
It turns out that the Hawk does indeed die.
MASON WINS IN BROOKLYN! pic.twitter.com/XNCSRaIRO3
— By George. (@ByGeorgeGMU) March 11, 2020
#11 George Washington vs #14 Fordham
It’s easy to forget there was a second game today, especially given the news that broke smack in the middle of this one.
But damn, did Fordham just absolutely dominate GW today. At the half, the Rams led by 15. Damn.
Half:
#14 Fordham 32
#11 George Washington 17Fordham's defense has been SUFFOCATING thus far, holding GW to just 7 made field goals and forcing 12 turnovers. Perry and Soriano with 8 points each for the Rams, who end the half on an 11-0 run.
— A10 Talk (@A10Talk) March 11, 2020
GW tried to make it interesting late, but Fordham was in control for almost the entire game today.
Final:
#14 Fordham 72
#11 George Washington 52Fordham has their first A-10 Tournament win since 2015! The Rams had four players in double figures while holding GW to 37% shooting. Armel Potter led GW with 24 points. Fordham will play Duquesne tomorrow.
— A10 Talk (@A10Talk) March 11, 2020
GW had a decent season and generally exceeded expectations, but this is bad look for the Colonials.
While I do think @GW_MBB did better than expected this season under a new coach and staff, the bookends (1-4 to start season, 0-6 to end season) were downers for sure….
— Fred (@wtfresca) March 11, 2020
Oh yeah, there was that other thing that happened today…
NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: https://t.co/TIHHJjdse5 pic.twitter.com/8I1HdceDfN
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 11, 2020
Guess we’ll see what that means for the rest of the A-10 Tournament, and beyond.
See you tomorrow.