Baraka Okojie anchored a dominant defensive and offensive performance as George Mason defeated Coppin State 68-51 on Friday night in Fairfax, Virginia. The Patriots (2-0) controlled the pace from the opening tip, establishing a commanding lead that Coppin State (0-2) could never overcome. Okojie led all scorers with 14 points and added three steals, showcasing his versatility as a primary playmaker and perimeter defender for the Mason squad.
Patriots dominate first half to secure second straight win, extending their unbeaten start.
Shane Pendergrass provided crucial support with 13 points, shooting an efficient 5-for-8 from the field, including one three-pointer. Emmanuel Kanga also contributed significantly, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting. The game effectively turned in the first half, as George Mason took the lead for good with 19:34 remaining in the period. By the halftime break, the Patriots had built a 46-23 cushion, with Pendergrass alone accounting for nine of those points during the first half.
Despite Coppin State’s efforts to claw back in the second half, the Eagles were outscored by only a six-point margin, a testament to George Mason’s early offensive surge. Tafara Gapare led the Coppin State attack with 12 points, while Brendan Johnson and Malik Shackleford each added eight. Okojie remained the most consistent offensive threat in the second half, scoring a team-high six points to keep the pressure on. George Mason looks to extend their winning streak against UMKC on Thursday, while Coppin State hosts Cheyney on Monday.
Source: Yahoo Sports
