Mason edges UConn in overtime for first-ever spot in NCAA Final Four
WASHINGTON – George Mason edged Connecticut 86-84 in overtime in the Washington Region Championship to earn the Patriots’ first-ever spot in the NCAA Final Four.
Denham Brown had a chance to lift the top-seeded Huskies to victory, but his game-winning 3-pointer glanced off the rim to send the Verizon Center crowd into a frenzy.
WASHINGTON – George Mason edged Connecticut 86-84 in overtime in the Washington Region Championship to earn the Patriots’ first-ever spot in the NCAA Final Four.
Denham Brown had a chance to lift the top-seeded Huskies to victory, but his game-winning 3-pointer glanced off the rim to send the Verizon Center crowd into a frenzy.
The Huskies trailed by five in overtime before a 3-pointer by Marcus Williams.
After a foul, Jai Lewis missed two free throws with 6 seconds remaining that would have sealed the win for the 11th-seeded Patriots, allowing Brown to push the ball up the court for a last-second opportunity.
The Huskies pulled off some last-second dramatics at the end of regulation on a layup that took an extra bounce off the rim before falling in as time expired, sending the game into the extra period.
Jai Lewis scored 22 points to pace the Patriots, who trailed 43-34 at the half. Lamar Butler contributed 19 points, and Will Thomas had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Forlarin Campbell added 15 points, and Tony Skinn had 10. The Huskies were led by Rudy Gay’s 20 points. Jeff Adrien added 17 points, Marcus Williams tallied 13 and Brown had 11.
The Patriots face the Florida-Villanova winner in the NCAA semifinals on Saturday. LSU and Texas face off in the other semifinal.