March 13, 2024 – In a close battle between conference rivals, the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (19-13) narrowly defeated the George Mason Patriots (20-12) by a score of 64-57 in the second round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Defense Dominates Early
Both teams came out strong defensively, with neither side able to gain a significant lead in the first half. Saint Joseph’s, led by senior guard Erik Reynolds II, who finished with a team-high 16 points, relied on their perimeter shooting to keep pace with George Mason’s strong interior presence. For the Patriots, freshman standout Darius Maddox battled down low, contributing 12 points and several key rebounds.
Second Half Hustle
The second half continued the defensive struggle, with both teams struggling to find consistent scoring opportunities. However, the Hawks capitalized on crucial free throws down the stretch, particularly from junior guard Taylor Funk, who sank four free throws in the final minute to seal the victory for Saint Joseph’s.
Key Plays and Players
- Saint Joseph’s: Senior guard Rasheer Fleming provided a spark off the bench, scoring a crucial three-pointer in the second half that gave the Hawks a momentary lead. His hustle and defensive pressure on George Mason’s guards were instrumental in disrupting their offensive rhythm.
- George Mason: Keyshawn Hall, the Patriots’ leading scorer throughout the season, had an off night, finishing with only 8 points. However, his leadership and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates were crucial in keeping George Mason in the game.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Saint Joseph’s advances to the quarterfinals of the A-10 Tournament, where they will face a tough matchup against the winner of the VCU and Dayton game. George Mason’s season comes to an end, but they can look back on a successful year, exceeding expectations and finishing strong in conference play.
