NCAA News Wire
George Mason 64, Manhattan 63
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Forward Jalen Jenkins hit a buzzer-beating, desperation 3-point heave from about 75 feet away to give George Mason a stunning 64-63 victory over Manhattan on Saturday afternoon in Fairfax, Va.
Jenkins’ shot came after a free-throw miss by Manhattan forward Shane Richards. The 6-foot-7 Jenkins grabbed the rebound and flung a Hail Mary that swished through the hoop.
Officials allowed the shot after a lengthy video review.
Jenkins finished with a game-high 24 points and seven rebounds for George Mason (2-4), which is off to its worst start since the 1999-2000 season.
Manhattan (1-4) led 61-55 after guard Tyler Wilson made two free throws with 19 seconds left.
But guard Patrick Holloway hit a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left and followed with another 3-pointer with three seconds left to give the Patriots life. Holloway finished with 18 points.
Depleted Manhattan, gunning for its first win over George Mason in four tries, was led by Richards, who scored 18 points, including 15 on 3-pointers. Wilson finished with 15 points and seven assists for the Jaspers.
In a seesaw game, Manhattan trailed by five points when Richards hit his final 3-pointer of the game with eight minutes left. Moments later, the Jaspers went on a 10-point run to seemingly take control.
Manhattan led by as many as 13 points in the first half. Richards’ fourth 3-pointer gave the Jaspers a 28-15 lead.
But Jenkins responded with the next seven points. And, during a 9:28 span that bridged the halves, the Patriots outscored the Jaspers 13-0 to tie the game.
Every time Manhattan threatened to take control, George Mason battled back, propelled by its 41-24 rebounding margin. With the two tallest Jaspers, 6-foot-10 center Carlton Allen and 6-10 forward Ashton Pankey, saddled with foul trouble (both eventually fouled out), the Patriots had a decided edge inside behind 6-11 Shevon Thompson (zero points, nine rebounds) and the 6-7 Jenkins.
Midway through the half, George Mason scored seven straight points. Trey Porter’s free throw with 9:45 left gave the Patriots their first lead, 42-41.
