Richmond, Va.-Georgia State used a strong start to build an 11-point lead in the first half before succumbing to top-seeded and 25th-ranked George Mason, 68-45, in the quarterfinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Championship Saturday at the Richmond Coliseum.

The Panthers finish their season at 12-19. Mason (26-5) won its 16th straight game to advance to Sunday's semifinals.

Shooting 60 percent from the field in the first half, Georgia State built a 27-16 lead with seven minutes to play, but after James Vincent's field goal with 7:08 left, the Panthers couldn't manage another basket until a jumper by Marques Johnson with just 30 seconds left in the half. During that stretch, Mason scored 14 straight points, and the Patriots took a 31-29 lead into the locker room.

During Mason's comeback in latter part of the first half, the Panthers were hurt by foul trouble on post players Eric Buckner, who picked up two fouls early, and James Vincent, who was whistled for three of GSU's 12 first-half fouls. For the game, Mason hit 21 of 29 free throws, while GSU made nine of 17.

Buckner finished with 10 points and seven rebounds in just 17 minutes.  Johnson had nine points and five rebounds in his final game for Georgia State.

"We got on a little bit of a roll in the first half, but when Buck (Buckner) picked up his second foul, that changed the way we could play," said interim head coach Paul Graham. "Then Big James (Vincent) came in and did some good things, but he got in foul trouble, too."

"George Mason is very good," continued Graham. "There's a reason they've won so many in a row; they've got good players and good coaches. I'm proud of the way our kids competed."

A three-pointer by Johnson kept the Panthers within 36-34 with just under 17 minutes to play, but from there, Mason used a 22-2 run to build a 58-36 lead with seven minutes to left.

After the strong first half, the Panthers managed to hit just five of 23 from the field after the intermission.  Georgia State also hurt itself with 21 turnovers, which the Patriots converted into 27 points.

"You can't turn that ball over," said Graham. "The game kind of got away from us. I think we were trying to play a little too fast."

Cam Long led the Patriots with 15 points, while Andre Cornelius added 12 points and Ryan Pearson 11.

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