The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
George Mason's seniors have a bucket list. Old Dominion's couldn't buy a bucket.
Basically, that was the tale of the Patriots' 63-54 win Thursday night at the Constant Center, George Mason's first here in eight seasons and one that had seniors Ryan Pearson, Mike Morrison and Andre Cornelius feeling giddy about crossing off an elusive goal from their career list.
"It's been tough coming down here," Cornelius said. "We wanted to leave and get the 'W'."
George Mason did, after ODU made things tough on itself with another frigid shooting performance, hitting just 29 percent from the field and missing 13 of 25 from the free throw line.
The lack of touch squandered another strong rebounding effort, particularly on the offensive glass. The Monarchs gathered 22 offensive rebounds but converted them into just two second-chance points.
"It's about half befuddling to me to have 22 offensive rebounds and to have two points to show for it," coach Blaine Taylor said.
Offensive rebounding has been ODU's bread and butter in recent years and a reliable predictor of success. When the Monarchs have swarmed the glass, they've usually won.
In past years, though, ODU cleaned up its misses by turning them into points. On Thursday, they left points at the rim.
Big man Chris Cooper snatched 14 boards, seven offensive, but missed 13 of 16 shots. He and seniors Kent Bazemore and Trian Iliadis combined to shoot 8 of 38.
Junior Nick Wright was 1 of 6. Only guards Donte Hill (4 of 5) and Marquel De Lancey (3 of 5) made more than they missed.
Bazemore said teams are making a more concerted effort to swarm Monarchs trying to convert second-chance attempts.
"We'll get a rebound, and we'll be barricaded by four or five guys," Bazemore said. "We'll end up getting a jump ball or throwing the ball out of bounds."
Or missing from close range. Cooper, in particular, struggled around the rim, but he had plenty of company.
Even with all the misses, ODU (7-8, 2-1 Colonial Athletic Association) had chances late. The Monarchs held George Mason to 38 percent second-half shooting and were within five when a Cooper dunk attempt was snuffed by Morrison. ODU kept the ball, but Bazemore missed a 3-pointer.
George Mason (11-4, 3-0) put the game out of reach with a pair of Byron Allen free throws with 59 seconds left.
The Patriots and Monarchs were 2 of 3 unbeaten teams in CAA play. GMU opened a 12-point lead with 6:27 left in the first half. ODU responded with consecutive 3-pointers by Bazemore and De Lancey and trailed by just three at the break.
Things looked to be unfolding as they did Monday at James Madison, when the Monarchs overcome cold first-half shooting with a relentless effort on the boards.
Unlike Monday, though, the second-half shots never fell. It wasn't a case of failing to get good shots, but simply of converting them, players said.
"We've got to get better with our practice habits and finishing plays," Hill said.
ODU hosts winless Towson on Saturday.
Ed Miller, 757-446-2372,ed.miller@pilotonline.com
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Everyone
has an opinion. Come on, we graduated 4 studs last year. Be patient. Yes there are some seniors on the squad, most were role players in the past. Mix in new faces Hill, Ross, Batten, and it's a work in progress. We all knew that. Take a look at last year's Senior's freshman year. SLOW start, ended up winning a smaller post season tournament that set them up with great experience for the 3 years after. This is not a good shooting team, period. However, the team plays hard, and is working to figure out the right combinations. Sit back, be patient, and watch these promising newbies develop. Monarch fans have been spoiled! Look at what Blaine and his staff have been able to do developing young players. I trust them.
Like a Lot of Things We All Have One...
My humble opinion:
I was at the game last night
Defense A-
Rebounding A+
Offense D
When near the basket, they don't where it is...many hail mary shots.
Some players should not be shooting 3's. 10 footers or closer (like dunks!) Nick or Coop should not be shooting 3's.
I was watching a few of the GM shooters - very little rotation on the ball - looked like a knuckle ball heading into the hoop. Our shooters put a lot of spin on the ball...
Our shooting guards are spending a lot of energy dribbling the ball... and not getting set for shots.
The point guard situation seems unsettled. Rotating 2 players back & forth at point would allow the shooting guards to concentrate on their shooting (getting open).
Coach Taylor will pull them
Hill
Hill seems to have a calming presence on the floor. He was 2-2 from the arc. I would have liked to see him take some more.
Marquel played a solid game. If we clean up some stuff under the basket it will do wonders for our offense.
Towson
It's bad when you have to worry about losing to Towson. I feel sorry for the folks that got season tickets.
Some pointers
- When you stink at 3's, get the ball inside.
- When your strength is the controled game, don't toss up every prayer you get.
- When the other team's best player is in foul trouble, make him foul
- When a player stinks (Illiadis), bench him. You owe him nothing other than the scholarship.
- Practice foul shots
- Play every team like it's a top 10, regardless of who they are. Playing mind games with yourself won't win games.
See ya in March.
Frustrating!
If ODU can't hit your layups and free throws, your chance of advancing to the NCAA tournament is awfully small. Come on guys, concentrate and relax at the line.