Hancock, Pearson lead hot-shooting Patriots
After pulling off a shocking upset of defending conference champion Old Dominion, improved Delaware has considered the possibility of a worst-to-first turnaround in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Monday night at George Mason, Delaware was anxious to prove the upset was no fluke and to notch its seventh win, matching last year’s paltry total. In making the Patriots sweat deep into the second half, the Blue Hens accomplished the former, but fell short of the latter in a 75-66 loss at Patriot Center before 4,719.
| Up next |
| No. 12 George Mason vs. Hofstra |
| When » Wednesday, 7 p.m. |
| Where » Mack Sports Complex, Hempstead, N.Y. |
| The Pride (8-5, 2-0) are off to a solid start under first-year coach Mo Cassara, who took over after Tom Pecora moved to Fordham. Hofstra is propelled by CAA scoring leader Charles Jenkins (23.5 ppg), a 6-3 senior, who is hitting 58 percent of his shots from the floor and 49 percent from three-point range. On Monday night, Jenkins scored 23 in a 75-69 victory at Drexel. Vastly-improved 6-7 sophomore David Imes added a career-high 20 points on 8 of 8 shooting. |
The game was another sign that parity has arrived this season in the CAA.
“Another night in the CAA on the road,” said Delaware coach Monte Ross. “We didn’t do some of the small things we needed to do to win the game.”
This was a game Mason (10-3, 2-0) might have lost a year ago. But this season has brought ball movement and offensive efficiency, which was on display as the Patriots hit 56.5 percent from the floor.
“A lot of it is just having the same core from last year,” said senior reserve Isaiah Tate (12 points, 4 rebounds). “Over the summer we really worked on our chemistry and sharing the ball. Our coach always stresses, get a lot of touches.”
Junior forward Ryan Pearson (19 points, 5 rebounds) hit 7 of 11 shots, while sophomore guard Luke Hancock (17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) and Tate combined to make 9 of 13, including back-to-back three-pointers during a 10-0 run that gave Mason a 57-45 lead with 7 minutes, 30 seconds left.
Mason sizzled in the second half, hitting 13 of 19 shots (68.4 percent) from the floor against one of the better defensive teams in the league.
“We knew Delaware had been playing very well,” said Mason coach Jim Larranaga. “Their field goal percentage defense from two and three was outstanding.”
Hancock was particularly effective down the stretch, breaking the full-court pressure of Delaware and scoring 11 points in the final 8 minutes to keep the Patriots in command.
“In the second half we did a lot more isolating individual players, and those guys delivered,” said Larranaga. “Luke Hancock made a couple of shots off the dribble, Pearson in the post, and Isaiah Tate driving into the lane.”
Delaware (6-6, 1-1) got 20 points each and a combined seven three-pointers from senior guards Jawan Carter and Alphonso Dawson, while 6-8 sophomore Jamelle Hagins (15 points, 10 rebounds) showed explosiveness inside and freshman guard Devon Saddler (10 assists) ran the offense.
It was a potent formula in the first 10 minutes of the second half as Hagins threw down two dunks, hit two jumpers, and a hook shot as Delaware drew close, 47-45.
“Dean Smith once said the best thing about freshmen is when they become sophomores. That’s true of Jamelle,” said Ross of the rapid development of Hagins, who ranks sixth in the nation in blocked shots (3.5 per game). “Now I think we’re starting to see that he’s able to score the ball with his back to the basket. He’s able to block shots in there. His development has been really, really tremendous. But he has a whole lot more to go.”
But Mason’s experience and balance was key late. Also contributing were junior forward Mike Morrison (6 points, 5 rebounds) and senior guard Cam Long (11 points).
Mason now faces consecutive road games against Hofstra (8-5, 2-0), ODU (10-3, 1-1), and Northeastern (4-9, 0-2). Their newfound mettle will be tested.
“Listening to the coaches in the league, I think everybody feels good about their team right now,” said Larranaga. “Winning on the road is going to be a real challenge for everybody.”
