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NORFOLK, Va. - Ryan Pearson led George Mason with 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Patriots (11-4/3-0) defeated Old Dominion 63-54 Thursday night at the Ted Constant Center before a crowd of 7,783. ODU falls to 7-8 overall and 2-1 in the CAA.
Senior Kent Bazemore led the Monarchs with 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists while sophomore Donte Hill added 10 points. Both Chris Cooper and MarquelDe Lancey scored nine points each.
Mason led, 34-31 at halftime and were up six, 40-34 on a Byron ALlen basket with16:38 left, butODU pulled within two at 45-43 on a three-pointer from Donte Hill.
The Patriots followed with five quick points by Byron Allen to up the lead to 50-43with 11:37 left and the Monarchs never got within one possession the rest of the way.
Mason had four players hit double figures led by Pearson, Bryon Allen had 14, Vertrail Vaughns had 13 and Mike Morrison chipped in 10.
The victory was the Patriots first in the Constant Center since the 2003-04 season.
ODU finished the night shooting 18-61 (.295), while George Mason was 21-49 (.429).The Monarchs dominated the boards, 47-37 which included 22 offensive rebounds, butthe Monarchs only got two second chance points.
Chris Cooper hauled down 14 rebounds, his 11th double-figure rebound game. RichardRoss and Bazemore had six rebounds each, while Nick Wright and Marquel De Lanceyeach had five boards. Ryan Pearson led Mason with 14 boards followed by Mike Morrison with nine. Both teams only committed 11 turnovers each.
The Monarchs return to action Saturday night when they host the Tigers of Towsonat 7 p.m. in the Constant Center.