Panthers Snap Patriots’ 14-Game Home Winning Streak

December 9, 2012   ·   1 Comments

by Cody Norman

Mason 77, Northern Iowa 82

The Patriots have developed a knack for close games.

Stephen Kline/Courtside Seats

In their fourth loss of the young season, Mason pushed the Northern Iowa Panthers to the brink but fell short in overtime.

“It was a really good game,” Paul Hewitt said. “It was a fun game to be a part of. Obviously we’re disappointed that we lost, but it was a really well played game on both sides.”

Paced by another outstanding offensive effort from Sherrod Wright, the Patriots put together one of their best offensive performances of the season. Wright was an efficient 7-for-10 from the field for 20 points while Mason finished 27-for-56 (48.2 percent) on two-point field goals. Bryon Allen, who played his second game off the bench for the Patriots, scored 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting while his point guard counterpart Corey Edwards shot 3-for-4 for eight points and three assists.

The Patriots started slowly, falling behind 10-0 before Edwards rattled off five quick points for the Patriots.

“I thought we could battle back,” Hewitt said. “I thought our pressure could get us back in it and it did. But it came down to an execution game at the end.”

“Our press can look like that,” Hewitt said. “This is the first time we’ve really gone all out with it, but it will keep getting better.”

Despite losing Erik Copes, who fouled out with more than six minutes remaining in the game, Mason held a significant difference in the rebounding battle, pulling down a 34-27 advantage on the glass. Anali Okoloji led the way with seven rebounds while Wright and Copes contributed five boards apiece.

In the waning minutes, the Patriots fumbled two key possessions. They were unable to get a shot off with 10 seconds remaining in the second half and, in similar fashion, turned the ball over and did not give themselves an opportunity to tie the game at 80.

“We wanted to try to get Bryon in the middle of the floor with a ball screen,” Hewitt said. “We felt like we had some success there. I didn’t explain it clearly enough and we didn’t execute, but that falls on me.”

The Patriots will break for two weeks for final exams before taking the floor again on Saturday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. against Richmond in Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic.