Jan. 31, 2009
NORFOLK, VA-- Junior forward Gerald Lee scored23 points and sophomore forward Ben Finney added18 points with five rebounds to lead Old Dominion(13-8/6-5) to a 73-71 victory over George Mason(15-6/8-3) in front of a sold out crowd of 8,424at the Constant Center.
The Patriots took a 69-68 lead with 3:48 left on a Cam Long jumper. GeraldLee then put ODu up for good with two free throws with 2:30 left, 70-69.After a Patriot miss, Frank Hassell hit a jumper with 1:35 remaining to giveODU a 72-69 lead.
Ryan Pearson cut the lead to one after a Marsharee Neely missed free throw, 72-71.The Monarchs missed another free throw, but John Vaughan missed a trey. With4.7 seconds left Marsharee Neely, who scored 12 tonight hit one of two free throws to make it, 73-71. Cam Long's jumper at the buzzer missed to end the game.
The 23 points by Lee was his second straight this week. ODU finished the nightshooting .569 (29-51) from the floor, while George Mason hit .582 (32-55).Mason outrebounded ODU, 25-24. The Monarchs committed only eight turnovers, whileMason had just nine.
Lee hit nine- of-11 shots from the floor, while Finney was seven-of-nine fromthe floor. For Mason, Darryl Monroe was five-of-seven, Ryan Pearson was eight-of-10,and Cam Long was six-for-10 from the floor.
Sophomore Darius James led with eight assists on the night along with two steals and only one turnover. Darryl Monroe led mason with seven assists. John Vaughanscored six points and led the Patriots with seven rebounds.
The sellout crowd was the first of the season and the 11th since the buildingopened in 2002-03. It was the third home crowd over 7,000 this seaso. ODU is averaging 6,577 in 12 home games thus far this season.
ODU hosts Towson Tuesdaynight at 7 p.m. In other CAA games today, VCU beat Hofstra, 66-62; Northeasternbeat Delaware, 73-59; Drexel beat Towson, 60-53, Georgia State beat W&M, 58-51 andJames Madison defeated UNCW, 79-73.