Pablo
Hall of Famer
Let's take a trip down memory lane 20 years ago today at the Patriot Center - https://gomason.com/news/2006/1/19/205045490.aspx
Jan. 19, 2006
"Tony Skinn broke a conference record for steals in a game, Will Thomas set a career-high for points, and Jim Larranaga recorded the 350th win of his career as the George Mason men's basketball team won its sixth straight game, downing Northeastern 74-63 in Colonial Athletic Association action. The win, coupled with an Old Dominion loss put Mason in sole possession of first place in the CAA.
Skinn had nine steals in the game, breaking the previous conference record of eight which was held by many players, including George Mason's Nate Langley, Jon Larranaga and Myron Contee. Thomas, meanwhile, scored 18 points, easily breaking his previous career high of 15 set earlier this season. Jai Lewis added 19 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the year. Lamar Butlerscored a game-high 20 for the Patriots.
Mason held Northeastern 15 points below its season average as the Patriots continued their defensive dominance in the CAA. In eight CAA games, Mason is allowing just 55.1 points per game.
Mason held Jose Juan Barea, who entered the game averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 assists, to 15 points and eight assists but he committed eight turnovers. He did record the 2,000th point of his career, though, becoming the third Northeastern player to reach that plateau. Shawn James, who entered the game averaging 5.8 blocks per game, had seven blocks.
The Patriots (13-4, 7-1) jumped out to a 16-3 lead on Northeastern as the Huskies (9-7, 5-3) opened the game by making just one of their first 13 shots. Meanwhile, all five Mason starters scored during that opening run which lasted more than seven minutes. By the time Northeastern regrouped, Mason led by double figures, and the Patriots would keep the lead to eight or better over the rest of the period.
Mason went up by as many as 17 points, 31-14, before Northeastern sank three straight 3-pointers to make it an eight-point contest. Adrian Martinez drained a pair and Aaron Davis connected on one as well. Butler responded with a 3-pointer of his own and Lewis had a baseline dunk before Barea sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 36-26. Mason has now led at the half in 14 straight games.
Mason shot .516 in the first half while holding Northeastern to .310 shooting. After the poor start to the game, the Huskies made 8 of 16 to close out the half. Barea had nine points but turned the ball over five times in the period. Skinn had six of his steals in the first half.
Mason struggled shooting the ball early in the second half, allowing Northeastern to cut the lead to five. But crisp passing once again gave Mason some open looks and the Patriots were able to reestablish themselves and keep Northeastern at bay. Mason once again pushed the lead to 17, 57-40, but Northeastern fought back and got as close as seven, 65-58, with two minutes to play.
Lewis hit a turnaround jumper in the lane and sank a free throw to make it 68-58, and after a James basket in the paint, Lewis scored on a fastbreak to make it 70-60. Gabe Norwood made a pair of free throws to make it 72-60, sealing the win for Mason.
Mason shot .500 in the game while holding Northeastern to .343 shooting. Mason also forced 17 turnovers.
Mason's current six-game winning streak is the longest for Mason since a 10-game winning streak in 1998-99. That stretch concluded with Mason winning the CAA Tournament. The 13-4 start is Mason's second-best record after 17 games. In 1983-84, Mason was 14-3 after 17 games."
Opposing PG Barea went on to play 14 seasons in the NBA.
Jan. 19, 2006
"Tony Skinn broke a conference record for steals in a game, Will Thomas set a career-high for points, and Jim Larranaga recorded the 350th win of his career as the George Mason men's basketball team won its sixth straight game, downing Northeastern 74-63 in Colonial Athletic Association action. The win, coupled with an Old Dominion loss put Mason in sole possession of first place in the CAA.
Skinn had nine steals in the game, breaking the previous conference record of eight which was held by many players, including George Mason's Nate Langley, Jon Larranaga and Myron Contee. Thomas, meanwhile, scored 18 points, easily breaking his previous career high of 15 set earlier this season. Jai Lewis added 19 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the year. Lamar Butlerscored a game-high 20 for the Patriots.
Mason held Northeastern 15 points below its season average as the Patriots continued their defensive dominance in the CAA. In eight CAA games, Mason is allowing just 55.1 points per game.
Mason held Jose Juan Barea, who entered the game averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 assists, to 15 points and eight assists but he committed eight turnovers. He did record the 2,000th point of his career, though, becoming the third Northeastern player to reach that plateau. Shawn James, who entered the game averaging 5.8 blocks per game, had seven blocks.
The Patriots (13-4, 7-1) jumped out to a 16-3 lead on Northeastern as the Huskies (9-7, 5-3) opened the game by making just one of their first 13 shots. Meanwhile, all five Mason starters scored during that opening run which lasted more than seven minutes. By the time Northeastern regrouped, Mason led by double figures, and the Patriots would keep the lead to eight or better over the rest of the period.
Mason went up by as many as 17 points, 31-14, before Northeastern sank three straight 3-pointers to make it an eight-point contest. Adrian Martinez drained a pair and Aaron Davis connected on one as well. Butler responded with a 3-pointer of his own and Lewis had a baseline dunk before Barea sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 36-26. Mason has now led at the half in 14 straight games.
Mason shot .516 in the first half while holding Northeastern to .310 shooting. After the poor start to the game, the Huskies made 8 of 16 to close out the half. Barea had nine points but turned the ball over five times in the period. Skinn had six of his steals in the first half.
Mason struggled shooting the ball early in the second half, allowing Northeastern to cut the lead to five. But crisp passing once again gave Mason some open looks and the Patriots were able to reestablish themselves and keep Northeastern at bay. Mason once again pushed the lead to 17, 57-40, but Northeastern fought back and got as close as seven, 65-58, with two minutes to play.
Lewis hit a turnaround jumper in the lane and sank a free throw to make it 68-58, and after a James basket in the paint, Lewis scored on a fastbreak to make it 70-60. Gabe Norwood made a pair of free throws to make it 72-60, sealing the win for Mason.
Mason shot .500 in the game while holding Northeastern to .343 shooting. Mason also forced 17 turnovers.
Mason's current six-game winning streak is the longest for Mason since a 10-game winning streak in 1998-99. That stretch concluded with Mason winning the CAA Tournament. The 13-4 start is Mason's second-best record after 17 games. In 1983-84, Mason was 14-3 after 17 games."
Opposing PG Barea went on to play 14 seasons in the NBA.
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