Mason stops VCU

Wil Thomas scored 21 points, including six during a game-changing second-half run, and corralled 15 rebounds to lead George Mason past Virginia Commonwealth University Tuesday at the Patriot Center. Mason 63, VCU 51. Senior Jamal Shuler led the Rams (15-5, 8-2 CAA) with 21 points, but VCU found little else on offense against the Patriots’ pressure defense. […]

January 29, 2008; 11:37 PM • by FTRea

Wil Thomas scored 21 points, including six during a game-changing second-half run, and corralled 15 rebounds to lead George Mason past Virginia Commonwealth University Tuesday at the Patriot Center.

Mason 63, VCU 51.

Senior Jamal Shuler led the Rams (15-5, 8-2 CAA) with 21 points, but VCU found little else on offense against the Patriots’ pressure defense. The Black and Gold shot 38 percent (17-of-45) from the field in the contest.

Junior Eric Maynor added 12 points and five rebounds for the Rams, while Campbell added 17 points for Mason.

The game was billed as an opportunity for the Rams to separate themselves from George Mason (15-6, 7-3) in the Colonial Athletic Association race. However, GMU, the CAA preseason No. 1 pick, used a 20-4 burst midway through the second half to take control.

VCU will face Towson on Sat., Feb. 2 at the Siegel Center at 7:30 p.m.

– Info supplied by Chris Kowalczyk,

VCU Assistant Director of Athletic Communications