GW Men's Basketball Stays in the New York State of Mind

Tuesday, March 29

New York - Madison Square Garden

9:00 PM

George Washington University

San Diego State (NIT Semifinals)

Team	1	2	F
George Washington	35	30	65
SAN DIEGO STATE	20	26	46

3/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Tyler Cavanaugh had 20 points and 11 rebounds

Box Score

NEW YORK -- Competing in NIT Semifinal action for the first time in program history at Madison Square Garden, where Billy Joel has performed in front of sold-out crowds more than 30 times, GW men's basketball is still keeping the faith for a NIT crown after a 65-46 win against San Diego State on Wednesday night.

Playing at MSG for the first time in his home state, Tyler Cavanaugh was the entertainer on Tuesday with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double in four NIT games, saying you're my home to the world's most famous arena.

This night was all GW's as the Colonials led for the longest time, never trailing in a game they led by as many as 20 before cruising to victory.
Playing an Aztecs team that had won its first three NIT games by an average of 15.5 points per game, GW said you're only human to San Diego State. Sometimes a fantasy, the Colonials defense was easy money in this contest, holding the Aztecs to .288 shooting (17-of-59) in the contest. 19-of-22 San Diego State threes fell in no man's land, while GW also forced 11 turnovers that led to a 15-3 advantage in points off miscues.

GW led 35-20 at the half as despite shooting at a .389 clip in the opening stanza, San Diego State was limited to .240 (6-of-25) from the field. Though

GW's offense didn't start the fire, the team found its shooting stroke in the second half and connected on 12-of-25 shots after intermission.

Cavanaugh evidently said I go to extremes during the halftime break as after finding his mark on just 3-of-11 first half field goals, he was a perfect 4-of-4 in the second half with big shot after big shot.

In the penultimate game of his collegiate career, Patricio Garino also scored in double figures for the Colonials with 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting as the GW faithful in attendance told the Argentinian swingman we like you just the way you are.

Joe McDonald wanted to get it right the first time as four of his game-high six assists came in the first half against zero turnovers. It was a matter of trust for GW with the ball all night as the team committed just six turnovers.

And so it goes for the Colonials, as with the win GW is now movin' out to the NIT Championship Game. Everybody has a dream as GW now looks for its first-ever NIT crown on Thursday night at 7:00 pm against Valparaiso on ESPN.