COLLEGE BASKETBALL

• No. 5 Villanova in Puerto Rico to face George Mason

  
  

  San Juan, PR (Sports Network) - A pair of undefeated teams mix it up in San Juan today, as the George Mason Patriots try for the upset of the fifth-ranked Villanova Wildcats in the first round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The winner of this game will move on to face either Georgia Tech or Dayton on Friday.

  The Patriots were in action as recently as Sunday, when they picked up a 60-44 victory over Dartmouth. It marked the 18th straight home win for GMU, which opened its 2009-10 campaign with a triumph of Liberty (76-72) at home.

  As for the Wildcats, they also carry a 2-0 ledger into this game, with both wins coming in convincing fashion. The team most recently trounced local foe Penn, 103-65, on Monday prior to opening its season with an 84-61 besting of Fairleigh Dickinson. This tourney represents Villanova's third appearance in Puerto Rico and first since capturing the Puerto Rico Shootout in 1996.

  Villanova has won all three prior meeting with George Mason, including an 84-76 victory in the most recent encounter in 2007.

  The Patriots used a decisive 23-6 run in the second half to break open a tight game and pull away from Dartmouth for a 60-44 win on Sunday. GMU had its way down low, holding a 46-31 advantage on the boards and outscoring Dartmouth in the paint by a 32-16 margin. The dominating play in the paint helped overcome some of the team's shooting woes, as GMU hit just 4-of-15 attempts from three- point distance and only 10-of-21 at the foul line. Ryan Pearson headed the charge with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. It was a nice follow up for Pearson, who opened the season with 12 points and eight rebounds. Luke Hancock reached double figures coming off the bench for the second game in a row, finishing with 12 points, and Mike Morrison added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

  The Wildcats opened the game with a 20-5 run and never looked back, as they coasted past Penn, 103-65, on Monday. Villanova shot a sizzling 58.7 percent from the field and went 11-of-21 from long range and 18-of-23 at the foul line. The squad even won the battle on the boards for the second game in a row, holding a 45-27 advantage. Freshman Maalik Wayns showed a glimpse of future things to come, as he deposited 16 points in 18 minutes off the bench. Corey Stokes, Scottie Reynolds and Taylor King each tallied 14 points, while Corey Fisher turned in 13 points and eight helpers. The trio of Reynolds, Fisher and Stokes help form arguably the best backcourt in the nation and they combined for 41 of the team's 84 points in the opener against FDU.

  11/19 10:47:24 ET