George Mason Patriots Dominate Saint Louis Billikens
In a dominant performance on Saturday, the George Mason Patriots overwhelmed the No. 25 Saint Louis Billikens with an emphatic 86-57 victory in the final game of the regular season for both squads in Fairfax, Virginia. Jahari Long led the charge for George Mason, contributing significantly with 21 points and nine assists, while Kory Mincy supported the effort with 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists. This victory marked a notable milestone as it was the first time this season George Mason triumphed over a ranked opponent, having previously downed then-No. 16 Dayton on February 21, 2024.
Billikens’ Struggles and Season Overview
The Billikens, who had previously secured the top seed for the upcoming Atlantic 10 tournament this week, shared the regular-season title with VCU. Saint Louis ended the season at 27-4 overall and 15-3 in conference play, but had a tough outing as senior center Robbie Avila struggled, limited to just five minutes of play in the opening half due to foul restrictions. Averaging 13 points per game, Avila finished with a mere two points and one rebound.
Game Highlights
With Avila sidelined for a significant stretch, George Mason capitalized, taking a 43-34 lead into halftime. The Billikens struggled to recover after the break; despite Avila’s early second-half points narrowing the gap to 49-39, the Patriots surged ahead with a 17-0 scoring streak, leaving Saint Louis scoreless for nearly seven minutes. Ultimately, George Mason extended their lead to 34 points, highlighting their dominance. Notably, aside from a previous 25-point deficit in a loss at Dayton, Saint Louis had not faced such significant trailing margins throughout the season.
In addition to Long and Mincy, the Patriots saw double-doubles from Nick Ellington (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Emmanuel Kanga (13 points, 11 rebounds) while out-rebounding their rivals 41-26.
Looking Ahead
As both teams prepare for the Atlantic 10 tournament, the Billikens are set to take on either Fordham or George Washington in the quarterfinals, while George Mason faces either La Salle or St. Bonaventure in the second round this Thursday.
