Feb. 24, 2001

Box Score

WASHINGTON (AP) - Monty Mack scored 24 points to lead Massachusetts to a 64-56 victory over George Washington Saturday in an Atlantic 10 Conference game.

The Minutemen (13-12, 11-3 Atlantic 10) moved into a tie for second place in the Atlantic 10 standings with Xavier. The Colonials (12-15, 6-8 Atlantic 10), who were led by Chris Monroe's 22 points, dropped into seventh place.

Massachusetts, which has won nine of its last 11 games, brought its overall record above .500 for the first time since its season opener.

The Minutemen, who never trailed in the game, secured the victory with a tenacious defensive effort. Massachusetts held George Washington to its lowest scoring output in a half-19 first-half points-this season.

The Colonials offense had such trouble scoring against the Minutemen that until Mike King made a baseline jumper with 5:15 remaining in the game, the only member of George Washington's starting five to make a field goal was Antxon Iturbe. The Colonials starting five went 4 for 25 from the field in the game. SirValiant Brown, last season's second-leading scorer in Division I, made just one basket against the Minutemen. It was the first time in his career he had been held to one field goal in a game.

After taking a 27-19 lead at halftime, Massachusetts broke the game open with a 14-7 run that gave the Minutemen a 49-34 lead. George Washington made a late run by scoring 12 points over the final minute to cut the Minutemen's lead. However, Jonathan DePina made 8 of 8 free throws down the stretch to preserve the win for Massachusetts.