Mason Scores 12 Points In USA Basketball Victory

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Aug. 23, 2001

BEIJING, China – University of Virginia guard Roger Mason, Jr., scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds to help the USA team to a 118-56 victory over South Africa in its second game of the preliminary round at the World University Games on Thursday (August 23). With the victory, the USA improved to 2-0 in preliminary round action.

Mason, who is from Silver Spring, Md., was in the starting line-up for the USA for the second consecutive game. He made six of nine shots from the field and had three steals and two turnovers in 20 minutes of action.

All 12 players on the USA team scored in the game. Juan Dixon of Maryland and Melvin Ely of Fresno State led five USA players in double figure scoring with 19 points apiece. Lynn Greer of Temple added 17 points. The USA shot an impressive 63.8 percent (44-69) from the field in the game and outrebounded South Africa 37-17.

The USA opened play in the World University Games with a 112-50 win over Iran on Wednesday (August 22).

The United States will close out preliminary round play on Friday (August 24) against Turkey. The top two teams from each of the eight preliminary round groups will advance to the medal quarterfinal round, slated to be played August 26-28. The semifinals are schedule for August 30 and the finals will be contested on August 31.