By Sean Bertolini
November 24, 2025
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla -- George Mason dominated from tip-off to the final buzzer, defeating Ohio 92–69 in the semifinals of the 2025 Geico Sunshine Slam. The Patriots built a commanding 52–33 lead by halftime and never looked back, outscoring the Bobcats 40–36 in the second half to seal the win.
A big reason for the blowout was George Mason’s barrage from deep — the Patriots knocked down 14 three-pointers on 31 attempts, helping them hit 46% from behind the arc. Their balanced attack and high-efficiency shooting kept Ohio scrambling all night, while GMU also took advantage of better ball movement and shot selection.
Masai Troutman stepped up in a big way for George Mason Patriots, drilling four of his attempts from beyond the arc and finishing with 18 points, five rebounds, and a couple of assists. His hot shooting helped stretch the floor and opened driving lanes for his teammates, giving George Mason easier looks and maintaining the momentum. Beyond his scoring, Troutman chipped in on the boards and contributed to ball movement — a balanced effort that underscored his growing importance to the Patriots’ attack.
On the boards, George Mason leveraged its size and physicality, out rebounding Ohio and generating extra possessions that translated into easy points. Meanwhile, Ohio struggled to find rhythm, their offense slowed by GMU’s active defense and the Patriots’ ability to close out possessions. The win moves George Mason to 6–0, sending them into the title game with momentum and a statement performance.
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