George Mason Triumphs Over GW, Advances to A-10 Semifinals

WASHINGTON – The George Mason men’s basketball team (25-7) made history Friday night, defeating George Washington (21-12) 80-65 in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) Quarterfinals at Capital One Arena. The Patriots outscored GW 42-23 in the second half, securing their first A-10 semifinal appearance in the program’s 12-year membership in the conference.

George Washington began the game strong, shooting seven three-pointers and taking a 42-38 halftime lead. However, the Patriots raised their defensive intensity after the break, holding GW to a mere 23.1 percent shooting (6-for-26) in the second half.

“We executed our game plan better after halftime,” said George Mason coach Kim English. “Our defensive pressure really turned the tide, and I’m proud of the way our guys responded.”

Inside scoring proved vital for Mason, who dominated in the paint with a 40-22 advantage. Jalen Haynes led the Patriots with a game-high 24 points on 10-for-17 shooting, along with five rebounds.

Senior Jared Billups also shined, contributing a season-best 18 points (6-for-6 FG, 2-for-2 3PT) and grabbing seven rebounds while matching his career-high with five steals. Fellow seniors Darius Maddox and K.D. Johnson each added 11 points, with Johnson dishing out a game-high five assists.

Mason took control quickly in the second half, launching into a 14-2 run to gain a 54-44 lead with 13:28 remaining. The Patriots extended their lead to 18 points at 66-48 following an 8-0 burst, capped by a three-pointer from Billups. GW managed to close the gap slightly, but never got within ten points the rest of the way.

The Patriots’ defense was relentless, forcing 15 turnovers while recording a season-high 12 steals. With this victory, George Mason not only secures their place in the A-10 semifinals but also achieves their 25th win of the season, marking only the third time in the program’s history that they have reached this milestone.

The Patriots will face No. 6 seed Saint Joseph’s in the semifinals on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network. Looking ahead, Mason aims to win their first A-10 Championship and strengthen their bid for an NCAA Tournament appearance.