Tigers' run ends in semifinals

George Mason 56, Towson 48

George Mason 56, Towson 48 - Josh Thornton scored a team-high 15 points and Troy Franklin (Mount Carmel) added 10, but Towson's surprising run in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament ended with a semifinal loss to George Mason last night in Richmond, Va.

Cam Long scored 14 points and had three three-pointers and two key assists in the last eight minutes to lift the Patriots.

Second seed George Mason (22-9) will face top seed Virginia Commonwealth tonight, with the winner likely claiming the league's only NCAA tournament berth.

The Tigers (12-22), seeded 11th, were the lowest seed to make it to the CAA tournament semifinals.

Darryl Monroe led the Patriots with 15 points, and Dre Smith had 13.

The Tigers led 42-36 with 10:01 left after Thornton hit a three-pointer, but George Mason went on a 13-3 run.

Thornton cut the deficit to 49-48 with another three with 4:01 left, but Towson got no closer.

The Tigers beat sixth seed Drexel and third seed Northeastern the previous two days.