Conference News
Mason Wins in Five at No. 12 Ohio State
Five Patriots reach double-digit kill totals in the
win
COLUMBUS, Ohio (February 6, 2009) - George Mason won its second
consecutive road match against a ranked opponent when it defeated
No. 12 Ohio State in five games on Friday evening at St. John Arena
in Columbus, Ohio. The victory comes one night after the Patriots
defeated No. 13 Ball State in three games.
The fifth game was a back-and-forth affair featuring 13 ties and
three lead changes. Mason had four chances to close out the match
but each time the Buckeyes answered with a kill to tie the score.
Leading 18-17, the Patriots put an end to the match on a service
ace by Brandon Joyner.
Mason got off to a slow start in the first game, losing by a score
of 30-18 after hitting -.062. After the tough start, the attack
steadily improved throughout the match, as the Patriots hit .163,
.214, .282 and .370 in the following four games.
The increase in hitting efficiency led to wins in the next two
games as Mason won by scores of 30-27 and 30-24. With the Patriots
on the verge of putting an end to the match, Ohio State took the
fourth game 30-25 to force the deciding fifth game.
Five Patriots finished with double-digit kills in the match,
including Kyle Gramit (21), Brandon McLaughlin (14), Ben Nichols
(12), Luke Maloney (11) and Erik Lanham (10). Setter Ryan
Kwiatkowski notched a double-double with 58 assists and 10 digs.
Libero Eric Lucas led Mason with 18 digs.
Steven Kehoe recorded a double-double with 60 assists and 18 digs
for the Buckeyes. John Klanac led Ohio State with 18 kills on .361
hitting.
George Mason had 18.5 team blocks to improve its record to 4-1 on
the season. Lanham led the way with eight total blocks in the
match. Ohio State totaled 14 blocks in the loss. The Buckeyes
record stands at 4-5 on the season.