Patriots drop Tribe in New Year

January 2, 2012   ·   2 Comments

by Cody Norman

Mason 70, William & Mary 56

Forty years ago, Dick Clark began hosting what has become the most-viewed nationwide New Year’s Eve show on television. As per usual, Clark helped kick off 2012 on Saturday night, airing the famous ball dropping tradition on his New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast.

For the Mason Nation, the new year tipped off on Monday afternoon and it was Andre Cornelius who served as the master of ceremonies.

After trailing 20-10 to open the first half, Cornelius knocked down several big shots and either assisted or scored on 10 consecutive points to key a late rally to help the Patriots gain the lead heading into the half.

“It felt good,” Cornelius said. “When I was shooting the ball, the rim just seemed big and I felt like the ball was going to go in everytime.”

In an eerily similar outing to his performance in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament in March 2010, Cornelius finished the afternoon with 20 points on 7-of-10 from the floor including 5-for-8 from beyond the arc.

Postgame Press Conference – Paul Hewitt

Postgame Press Conference – Andre Cornelius & Mike Morrison

Hewitt, though, would not commit to inserting Cornelius into the starting lineup heading into the opening stretch of conference play.

“It doesn’t matter who starts, it’s just who’s finishing the game,” Paul Hewitt said. “I’m sure, as we go along, that his minutes will be starters’ minutes.”

Building on their first half momentum, the Patriots exploded out of the gates with a 16-0 run to open the second half and build a sizable lead. Behind strong second half efforts from Cornelius, Ryan Pearson and Mike Morrison, Mason ran away with a 70-56 victory to remain undefeated in the Colonial Athletic Association.

“Obviously, anytime you get a conference win, that’s a good outing,” Hewitt said.

Morrison knocked down six of his eight free throw attempts and threw down powerful two-handed slam in a 14-point effort. He added a team-high six rebounds. Pearson, who spent much of the first half in foul trouble, scored 11 points to follow up his 35-point scoring frenzy against College of Charleston on Friday.

Bryon Allen rounded out the group in double-figures, turning in his best game of the season with 10 points and six assists to just one turnover.

“He’s been working on some things,” Hewitt said. “I give him credit. That’s as good as it could be.”

With the victory, the Patriots earned their 14th victory in the last 16 meetings with the Tribe but will look to remain undefeated in 2012 as they travel to Old Dominion, a place they haven’t won in eight years, on Thursday night.