BALTIMORE -- George Washington was too big, too quick and too strong for Morgan State.
Pops Mensah-Bonsu had 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks, and teammate Danilo Pinnock scored a game-high 23 points to help the 19th-ranked Colonials defeat the undermanned Bears, 102-75, on Saturday night.
The Colonials scored the game's first 22 points and were breezing early until the Bears started hitting 3-pointers and got within five points early in the second half.
"I just told them just to relax," George Washington coach Karl Hobbs said. "I (said) to maintain our poise and relax."
George Washington (7-0) is off to its best start in 13 years. The Colonials shot 65 percent from the field, making 35 of 54 attempts. But they had 21 turnovers and made only 23 of 41 free-throw attempts, allowing Morgan State (0-9) to stay close enough to make a run.
After falling behind 22-0, the Bears refused to quit.
"It was about pride for us," Morgan State guard T.J. Mathis said.
But Pinnock and Mensah-Bonsu helped the Colonials take command in the final part of the game. The Bears had no answer for the size and athletic ability of the Colonials, who created open shots all over the court.
The 6-foot-9 Mensah-Bonsu dominated play inside.
"We didn't have anyone who could guard him," Morgan State coach Butch Beard said.
After the Colonials' game-opening run, Morgan State began hitting outside shots. Tyree Spinner made all three of his 3-point attempts in the first half, and the Bears hit 8 of 12 3-pointers to get within 54-42 at halftime.
Morgan State cut the Colonials' lead to 59-54 early in the second half, but George Washington responded with six- and nine-point runs to take control.
Joseph McLean led Morgan State with 15 points, Marcus Gomes added 14 and Spinner finished with 12. Carl Elliott added 17 points for George Washington - including five 3-pointers.
