George Mason Avoids Upset Bid From Loyola Maryland, 86-79

Kory Mincy scored a game-high 26 points in a performance that featured clutch shooting from the field and on the foul line in the second half as George Mason pulled away late to defeat Loyola Maryland 86-79 on Sunday afternoon at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.

The game was back and forth with limited stoppages of play in the early going, with Loyola (4-9) gaining a one-point lead at the first media timeout. Mincy drained a three-pointer on the first possession after the media timeout, followed by another three-point field goal by Masai Troutman. Loyola, however, made a run by making open shots highlighted by a Joseph Theodosiou three-pointer to force a George Mason (11-1) timeout.

GMU continued to struggle from the floor and the free-throw line, while Loyola played solid defense and hustled for 50-50 balls. GMU started to build momentum with baskets from Mincy until a basket by Jordan Steimke halted the momentum. Mincy bounced back with an old-fashioned three-point play to keep the deficit at six at the final media timeout of the half. GMU continued its momentum with back-to-back buckets by Mincy and Jahari Long. Loyola came back with a three-pointer by Stiemke to thwart the GMU momentum.

Loyola led 40-35 at halftime. GMU held the paint advantage 18-10; however, Loyola shot 6 for 13 from beyond the arc, while GMU shot 2 for 10.

Loyola continued to be the aggressors to start the second half, driving to the basket; however, they were unable to capitalize on a couple of missed layups. Mincy put GMU back up by one with a three-pointer right before the first media timeout of the second half. Tyson Commander came back with a three-pointer of his own to retake the lead, followed by another three-pointer by Braeden Speed.

George Mason battled back to take the lead on a basket by Malik Presley. Speed answered with a three-pointer, and Long responded with three of his own. GMU provided clutch play as the second half progressed, getting the stops it needed with clutch baskets by Long and Mincy, effectively sealing the home victory.

GMU outscored Loyola 36-18 in points in the paint and received 17 bench points to seven for Loyola. Long scored 18 for GW, while Riley Allenspach scored 18 points. Masai Troutman added 15 points off the bench for the Patriots. Speed led Loyola with 24 points, while Theodosiou added 22 for the Greyhounds. Stiemke (11 points) and Emmit Adair also scored in double figures for Loyola.

GMU will be back at home Sunday for its non-conference finale against Penn, while Loyola will play at American in its conference opener next Wednesday.