George Mason will not be this year's George Mason. The Patriots were demolished, as the Ohio State Buckeyes served notice this afternoon that they plan to be cutting down the nets . The No. 1 seed Buckeyes dismantled the No. 8 seed Patriots, 98-66, this evening in Cleveland. Randy Newman songs are less depressing than the result of this game for Mason fans.
Three-point shooting was the absolute story of the game. Ohio Sate was a ridiculous 16 of 26 (62 percent) from behind the arc. The shooters responsible for this downtown beatdown? David Lighty led the way, shooting seven of seven from three (25 points). Not wanting to be left out of the fun, William Buford was four of seven (18 points) and John Diebler was four of eight (13 points). As if the aerial assault wasn't enough (um, it was overkill), Jared Sullinger dropped 18 points, nine rebounds and two assists on the overmatched "bigs" of the Patriots.
Cam Long led the Patriot with 17 points, five rebounds and two assists. Despite the crushing loss, the impressive George Mason season should not be quickly forgotten or diminished. Today, the regualr season Colonial Athletic Association champions (27-7) simply ran into a buzzsaw in the Buckeyers.
Ohio State moves on to face Kentucky in the Sweet 16