Going out in style

It was senior night, Folarin Campbell's 22nd birthday, Will Thomas broke the record for games started and a victory that earned the Patriots a first round bye in the CAA tournament and sole possession of second place in the standings. All around a pretty good night, capped off with an emphatic dunk by Campbell in the closing seconds. It was a typical home win for the Patriots, a close first half then an explosion of energy and three point shooting in the second, ending with four players in double figures. Basically the exact opposite of how Mason plays on the road. Campbell and Vaughan finished with 17 and 15 respectively and Big Willie Style added 10 with 8 rebounds. David Schneider of the Tribe almost spoiled senior night with his three point shooting but Mason was able to counter by getting to the free throw line all night. Campbell drove to the lane at will all night for the Patriots to have success in the CAA tourney, especially if Will Thomas is not having a huge night. It was great to see Cam Long add 12 points, he's basically been our entire bench production lately. Dre Smith came off the bench again and was held scoreless; that's a nice way of putting it. End of the season and Dre is posting goose eggs on the box score? That 10 for 10 NCAA record shooting display is really starting to seem like a distant memory isn't it? That being said I am still happy as long as two out of Long, Vaughan, and Smith trio are doing well.

After the way things have gone this season, second place in the standings doesn't seem so bad right now. That first round bye will do wonders for Mason, who typically plays poorly against the bottom feeders of the CAA. Having to play one less game against teams like that will help the Patriots if you ask me. And look the NY Times says "Mason is calmer now", which I think is funny because to most Mason die hards it's the exact opposite right now.