WSU’s previous low for a half had been 13 in a loss to Air Force in 2011.
George Mason (3-4), picked to finish 13th in the 14-team Atlantic 10, closed the first half with an 18-1 run. It was a half in which the Raiders made two shots from the field in 26 attempts, including 1 of 9 from 3-point range.
Benzinger was the lone Raider to score in double figures. Mark Alstork had nine, nobody else more than six.
WSU’s three leading scorers this season, Alstork, Joe Thomasson and J.T. Yoho, combined to shoot 3-for-19 from the field. Yoho, who averages 13 points, missed all five shots he took and went scoreless as the Raiders never trailed by less than 20 in the second half.
The Raiders’ first-half shooting funk allowed George Mason to tie a school record for fewest points allowed in a half, last accomplished in 2007 against UNC Wilmington.
Good news for the Raiders? They are home at the Nutter Center for two games this week, hosting Albion on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Georgia State on Friday at 7:30.
Georgia State, coached by Dayton native and former Miami University standout Ron Hunter, reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season with an upset of third-seeded Baylor.
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