FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) -Dre Smith and Cam Long each scored 15 points and George Mason never trailed during a 74-65 victory over Ohio on Saturday.
Ryan Pearson added 13 points as five players scored in double figures for the Patriots (5-1), who won their third straight game despite seeing an early 19-point lead cut to five points on four occasions in the second half.
Jerome Tillman had 22 points and 16 rebounds for Ohio (2-1), and Steven Coleman scored 14 of his 16 points inside the final 5:16, including a driving layup that pulled the Bobcats within five at 66-61.
But George Mason hit nine of its last 10 free throws, with Smith making seven, to seal the win.
Smith earlier hit two 3-pointers in a 14-0 run that helped the Patriots to a 30-11 lead during a first half when they shot 5-of-11 from 3-point range. They were just 1-of-8 after halftime.
