WASHINGTON — In a competitive Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament semifinal held on Saturday, Jalen Haynes powered George Mason University’s team to a 74-64 win over Saint Joseph’s. Haynes scored an impressive 22 points, paving the way for the Patriots to secure their place in the title game.
George Mason, seeded second, is now set to face the tournament’s top seed, VCU, in the championship showdown scheduled for Sunday. At stake is an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Having joined the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2013, George Mason is on the hunt for its inaugural conference title. On the other hand, their opponents, VCU, joined a year earlier, in 2012, and have clinched the championship on two past occasions.
Prior to their Atlantic 10 entry, George Mason made frequent NCAA Tournament appearances, participating six times while part of the Colonial Athletic Association from 1989 to 2011. Their most memorable run was in 2006 when the Patriots made it all the way to the Final Four before bowing out to the eventual champions, Florida. Meanwhile, VCU has a rich history in the tournament, with 19 appearances, including a significant 2011 run to the Final Four, where they eventually fell to Butler. Notably, during that season, VCU emerged victorious in the First Four game against USC, marking the expansion of the tournament field to 68 teams.
Accompanying Haynes’ stellar performance, who additionally grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists, were contributions from Darius Maddox, who nailed three 3-pointers and scored 19 points, and K.D. Johnson, who added to the tally with 12 points and two 3-pointers.
Saint Joseph’s, seeded sixth in the tournament, showcased some standout players despite the loss. Xzayvier Brown led the charge for the Hawks with 26 points, secured six rebounds, and logged two steals. Complementing his effort were Anthony Finkley, who accrued 14 points and four steals, and Rasheer Fleming, adding nine points and notably pulling down 12 rebounds along with two steals.
The Patriots seized the momentum early in the game, establishing the lead just two minutes in, with 18:01 left in the first half, and never relinquished it. This dominance was reflected in their 37-28 halftime advantage, which they successfully converted into a full-time victory.
