No. 10 Maryland holds off George Mason late, 66-56 in a matchup of unbeatens
George Mason Patriots vs. Maryland Terrapins - Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from George Mason Patriots vs. Maryland Terrapins
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- — Kaylene Smikle scored 16 points and made a couple key baskets down the stretch to help No. 10 Maryland hold off George Mason 66-56 in a matchup of unbeatens Saturday at the Navy Classic.
The Terrapins (7-0) led by just two when Smikle stole the ball and made a layup while being fouled. The free throw pushed the lead to 58-53. Then a putback by Smikle put Maryland up by seven.
The Terps won despite shooting 13 of 26 on free throws.
George Mason (6-1) trailed by 10 at halftime before outscoring Maryland 18-7 in the third quarter. The Patriots' final lead was 49-48 in the fourth after a jumper by Kennedy Harris.
Harris led George Mason with 26 points.
Maryland is off to its best start since winning its first 12 games in 2018-19.
George Mason: The Patriots have lost all nine meetings with Maryland, but it's been more competitive of late. The Terps won 86-77 last year, and this game was more competitive than the final score suggested.
Maryland: After a down season by their standards, the Terps are off to a nice start, but the free-throw problems in this game nearly cost them.
With the score 55-53, George Mason had a chance to tie, but the Patriots never really recovered after Smikle swiped the ball from Harris and went the other way for a three-point play with 3:08 remaining.
Although Maryland was awful at the line, at least the Terps got there. George Mason was only 3 of 8 from the stripe, and the Terps held the Patriots to 32% shooting from the field.
George Mason faces Navy in this event Sunday. Maryland takes on Toledo.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Kevin Dillard
- Courtney Robinson
- Kristen Csontos
2024-25 Atlantic 10 Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason | 1-0 | - | 11-1 |
| La Salle | 1-0 | - | 7-7 |
| Duquesne | 0-0 | 0.5 | 9-2 |
| Saint Joseph's | 0-0 | 0.5 | 9-2 |
| Richmond | 0-0 | 0.5 | 9-4 |
| Dayton | 0-0 | 0.5 | 6-5 |
| Fordham | 0-0 | 0.5 | 6-5 |
| VCU | 0-0 | 0.5 | 6-6 |
| Saint Louis | 0-0 | 0.5 | 6-7 |
| Massachusetts | 0-0 | 0.5 | 5-6 |
| Davidson | 0-0 | 0.5 | 5-7 |
| Rhode Island | 0-0 | 0.5 | 5-8 |
| St. Bonaventure | 0-0 | 0.5 | 4-7 |
| Loyola Chicago | 0-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| George Washington | 0-1 | 1 | 7-5 |
2024-25 Big Ten Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 1-0 | - | 12-0 |
| UCLA | 1-0 | - | 12-0 |
| Maryland | 1-0 | - | 11-0 |
| Michigan State | 1-0 | - | 11-1 |
| USC | 1-0 | - | 11-1 |
| Michigan | 1-0 | - | 10-2 |
| Nebraska | 1-0 | - | 10-2 |
| Wisconsin | 1-0 | - | 10-2 |
| Indiana | 1-0 | - | 9-3 |
| Minnesota | 0-1 | 1 | 12-1 |
| Illinois | 0-1 | 1 | 10-2 |
| Iowa | 0-1 | 1 | 10-2 |
| Oregon | 0-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
| Penn State | 0-1 | 1 | 9-3 |
| Washington | 0-1 | 1 | 9-4 |
| Rutgers | 0-1 | 1 | 8-4 |
| Northwestern | 0-1 | 1 | 7-5 |
| Purdue | 0-1 | 1 | 7-5 |
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