Colonials Extend Winning Streak

Pops Mensah-Bonsu scored the go-ahead basket with 23 seconds left and finished with 21 points in No. 8 George Washington’s 64-62 victory over St. Joseph’s on Saturday that gave the Colonials the best start in school history.

George Washington used its 12th consecutive win to go 20-1 for the first time in the 89-year history of the program. The Colonials also improved to 10-0 in the Atlantic 10 and could become the first team to go unbeaten in conference play since the Hawks two years ago.

The Colonials scored 20 straight points early in the second half, but that wasn’t enough to put away the Hawks (10-11, 4-6). St. Joseph’s took the lead twice in the final two minutes, once on two free throws by Dwayne Lee and again after a basket by Dave Mallon with 40 seconds left.

Mensah-Bonsu answered Mallon’s basket with the winning layup.

George Washington’s Carl Elliott made one free throw and Rob Ferguson’s three-point shot was off the mark to allow the Colonials to hang on for the win.

Mensah-Bonsu was 11 of 19 from the free-throw line. Maureece Rice scored 16 points for the Colonials and Mike Hall had 10 rebounds.

The Hawks missed 20 of 21 three-point attempts.

Other than that, they were 24 for 34 from the floor.