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Nov. 20, 2000
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Roger Mason Jr. is getting a crash course inrunning the point for Virginia.
Final grades aren’t in yet, but Mason’s performance Monday night shows showshe’s learning fast.
Mason, splitting time between the point and his natural shooting guardposition, had 28 points and seven assists as the No. 25 Cavaliers (2-0) beatCoastal Carolina 117-78.
Donald Hand starts at point guard, but Coach Pete Gillen turned to Mason asthe backup after Majestic Mapp was lost for the year with an injury.
“I thought Roger Mason had a great game,” Gillen said. “He attacked thebasket, made some good passes and did a pretty good job at the point. It is awork in progress. He is learning on the run, which is tough to do.”
Mason was not surprised by his performance.
“If I get the ball, I feel like I can push it and make something happen,”he said.
However, he was quick to share the spotlight with his teammates,particularly Chris Williams, who had 15 points, and Hand, who had 11 assits.
“Donald got the ball to guys, Chris knocked down some shots and we playedgood defense,” he said. “All preseason we have been stressing defense becausethat can create some good opportunities for us, and that’s what’s going to helpus get it done.”
The Cavaliers used a swarming defense to force 24 turnovers while committingonly nine of their own.
“Everybody was playing well on defense and things just clicked,” Williamssaid.
Coastal Carolina (0-2) trailed by only 31-26 with 7:08 left in the firsthalf, but Virginia pulled away with an 8-0 run. Virginia led 47-34 at halftimeand opened the second half with a 23-2 run to put the game out of reach.
“They’re good, guys,” said Coastal Carolina coach Pete Strickland. “It’shard to tell because they’re playing us and Long Island, but they’re definitelytop 25. Pete’s got them listening to him and they’re all on the same page.”
The Cavaliers shot 56 percent from the floor – 65 percent in the secondhalf. They also outrebounded Coastal Carolina 41-29.
Mason was 10 of 14 from the floor and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line forVirginia. Travis Watson scored 17 points for the Cavaliers, and Hand scored 12.
Torrey Butler led Coastal Carolina with 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting.Antonio Darden added 16.