Massachusetts Gets Its Taste of Defeat

If any team was going to beat No. 1-ranked Massachusetts this season, it figured to be George Washington.

The Colonials, with an 86-76 victory Saturday, made it four consecutive victories over the Minutemen, the last unbeaten team in Division I this season.

George Washington, 18-5 overall and 11-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, has also won its last four games against Top 10 teams and two in a row on Massachusetts’ home court, the Mullins Center, where no other visitor has won more than once.

“It’s probably more amazing that we can’t play that way against everybody,” said George Washington Coach Mike Jarvis, whose team lost to lowly La Salle (6-22) last Sunday. “If we could, we’d be undefeated.”

Massachusetts (26-1, 14-1) lost its chance to become the first undefeated national champion since Indiana in 1976. Since 1979, only Nevada Las Vegas in 1991 was been able to make it as far as the NCAA tournament without a loss.

“The good news is, there is no pressure now,” said Massachusetts Coach John Calipari, who watched the last 30 minutes on television in the locker room after drawing his second technical foul with 10:31 left in the first half and his team behind by 16 points. “Publicity and notoriety are like poison. As long as you don’t swallow it, you’re OK. Well, we swallowed it.”

The victory virtually assures George Washington of an NCAA tournament bid that it had been denied last season despite winning 18 games, including two over Massachusetts.

“Beating the No. 1 team in the country is what every team in America wants to do,” said 5-foot-3 freshman guard Shawnta Rogers, who had 18 points and eight assists. “To beat the best, you’re going to get noticed.”

Massachusetts certainly took notice as it trailed for the 11th time this season as halftime, 47-30.

George Washington increased that lead to as many as 23 points in the first four minutes of the second half. The Minutemen closed within nine points at 73-64 with 2:36 left but guard Kwame Evans delivered the knockout blow for the Colonials on the next possession with a three-point basket as the shot clock expired.

All of George Washington’s starters scored in double figures, led by guard Vaughn Jones’ 21 points. Freshman forward J.J. Brade made all seven of his shots and had 16 points.

Massachusetts center Marcus Camby had 18 points and eight rebounds, but struggled against 7-foot-1 Alexander Koul in missing 13 of 21 shots. Koul had 14 points and six rebounds before fouling out with 3 1/2 minutes to play.

“He just had his way with me,” said Camby, who is 6 feet 11. “They have our number for sure.”