By Palmer Johnson
Your George Mason Patriots beat Austin Peay to the tune of 67-45. The game felt like it was over from the start, with the Patriots going up 24-7 in the first ten minutes of the game, going up 36 at one point.
Austin Peay couldn’t really get anything going throughout the game, they shot 28.8% from the field and 15.8% from three. The paint was shut down and they were forced to take a lot of long twos.
The player of the game was Keyshawn Hall. Our guy, Joe, shared the same sentiment in the GiantKiller/ByGeorge Twitter Space that happens shortly after every game.
Keyshawn Hall has gone from a scorer to an offensive weapon. The UNLV transfer had tunnel vision in the past, but is now willing to make a pass to an open man instead of taking a tough shot inside. He ended the night with 14 points and 10 rebounds on 5-11 shooting from the field. Board man gets paid.
The blur that is Baraka 🚗🌬️@baraka_okojie | #PatriotPressure pic.twitter.com/nMyeSjJLKR
— George Mason Men's Basketball (@MasonMBB) November 11, 2023
That’s an awesome play by Okojie, but it’s started by Hall driving, drawing in the defense, and making an awesome pass.
Amari Kelly continues to be everything Mason fans wanted in their center and more. Kelly ended the game with 14 points and 5 rebounds on 3-8 shooting, but hit seven of his eight free throws and played the great defense he is known for.
It is also worth noting that Austin Ball got his first minutes, hit a couple threes, and played solid defense. Every team needs an Austin Ball.
First career bucket for AB! 👏@austin_ball2 | #PatriotPressure pic.twitter.com/f4VmGhasga
— George Mason Men's Basketball (@MasonMBB) November 11, 2023
Baraka Okojie had the play of the night, hitting a deeeeep contested buzzer-beater three at the end of the first half. Along with that, the Canadian had 8 points and 2 assists on 3-6 shooting. The freshman PG continues to impress.
BARAKA BEATS THE BUZZER@baraka_okojie | #PatriotPressure pic.twitter.com/3ceTIVEJhb
— George Mason Men's Basketball (@MasonMBB) November 11, 2023
The two freshmen have shown they are able to contribute from the jump. That is very encouraging in regard to both the players themselves and the coaching staff.
I really liked how Mason forced Austin Peay to take lot of contested long twos, the least efficient shot in basketball. If they go in, they go in, but over time, it’ll work much more than it won’t for Mason.
Mason flew up the KenPom rankings from 165 to 117 since they beat Austin Peay by much more than they were predicted to, and Monmouth upset West Virginia.
It was an excellent showing by the student section, with 1639 students getting tickets. The Mason Maniaks got loud and rowdy. Let’s hope seeing their team dominate gets them to come to more games.
Next up, a tough game at home against Cornell on Wednesday.
