Northeastern's Allen uses charity to lift Huskies over Mason

Don't really think I am talking like a blind homer when I say that Northeastern cashed in on some charity in order to avoid overtime and get the 50-48 win over George Mason yesterday. I was sitting right behind the Northeastern radio team on press row and they also did not believe it was a foul on Chaisson Allen in those final seconds. It happened right in front us, maybe a mere 20 feet away or so. Right before that, as you can see in the video, Mike Morrison was looked to be clearly fouled on his put back dunk that would have given Mason the lead. The inconsistent officiating was very questionable and played too a big a part in this one. However, we also witnessed right in front us Matt Janning hitting a dagger three-pointer that was well beyond the NBA three-point line. I don't like to blame referees for a team's loss and I am not, it's just an unfortunate turn of events for the game to end. Also, as a Mason fan you have to be a little discouraged that we are now on a three-game home losing streak for only the second time in Coach L's tenure, of which the last two games were arguably decided by the referees. The game should have went into overtime and everyone knew that.

Aside from what happened late in this game, the Patriots had their chances to win this one. Like for one, why did Luke Hancock handle that last possession? Whether Cam Long or Andre Cornelius are having an off day or not I want the ball in their hands or even Ryan Pearson for that matter. The first half was riddled with turnovers that prevented them from adding to their lead and getting any separation from the Huskies. Northeastern's defense was suffocating at times and guards Andre Cornelius and Cam Long ever got into a rhythm. Both finished with a combined 8 points, while Northeastern's Matt Janning finished with 18, most of which in the 2nd half. Northeastern was keying in on Ryan Pearson and Mike Morrison early, clogging up the paint and forcing the Patriots to beat them with outside shots, which they couldn't.

Notice how Mason had the advantage in four factors of winning but let the turnover margin and other intangibles ruin them.

College Basketball

Sherrod Wright looked unstoppable for a stretch in the 1st half, handing down two back to back posterizing dunks on the Huskies' front court, both resulting in 'and one' situations. He helped the Patriots shoot 50% from the field in the second half but I didn't really see the team running screens for him and that's head scratching. Wright probably has the most raw talent at the guard spot for Mason and you have to wonder if Larranaga took enough of an advantage of it this season.

Now Mason finds itself a #4 seed in the CAA tournament next week and after the 1st round bye will play the winner of VCU-Delaware Saturday at 2:30 pm.