FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Ryan Pearson scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Paul Hewitt won his debut game as George Mason’s head coach in a 92-90 victory in overtime against Rhode Island on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
George Mason survived 38 points scored by Rhode Island’s Jamal Wilson.
Sherrod Wright and Vertrail Vaughns each scored 17 point for the Patriots, who won their 15th consecutive home game.
Wilson scored 29 points in the second half and overtime, sinking 9 of 13 shots over the final 25 minutes. Mike Powell scored 13 points and Jonathan Horton finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Rams.
Hewitt, the former Georgia Tech coach, saw his team take an 86-81 on Pearson’s three-point play with 3:50 remaining. The Rams scored a quick six straight points, but Pearson’s basket with 2:45 remaining put the Patriots ahead for good at 89-88.
