The rematch was pretty much a mismatch.
With Bradford Burgess having a career day in his last regular-season game and getting ample help from Troy Daniels, Juvonte Reddic and a smothering defense, Virginia Commonwealth dominated George Mason with an 89-77 victory at the charged-up Siegel Center.
Burgess had a career-high 31 points as the Rams (25-6, 15-3 CAA) claimed the second seed in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament. VCU, which has a bye in the first round, will play the winner of No. 7-Northeastern-No. 10 William and Mary in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Mason (23-8, 14-4), the third seed, beat VCU 62-61 on Feb. 14 when Sherrod Wright dribbled up court after taking in inbounds pass with 3.8 seconds left and buried a 3-pointer from more than 25 feet at the buzzer.
This time, VCU left no room for last-second heroics. The Rams built a 23-point lead in the second half as the 18th consecutive sellout crowd went berserk.
The Patriots whittled it to 11 with 10:13 left before Burgess nailed a 3-pointer.
With the Rams still up 14, Ryan Pearson fouled Burgess and was given a technical for reacting to the call. Burgess hit four consecutive free throws to put VCU up 64-46.
Daniels had 17 points and had five of the Rams' 11 3-pointers. Reddic had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Pearson had 24 points for Mason, which had 20 turnovers.
The Patriots were whistled for two technicals and a flagrant foul. Burgess was going in for a breakaway after yet another steal with 15:24 left in the second half when he was grabbed and thrown to the floor by Vertrail Vaughns. Vaughns was assessed a flagrant foul.
Burgess made both foul shots to give the Rams a 54-31 lead.
Burgess, VCU's lone senior, was given a standing ovation when he walked onto the floor before the game accompanied by his parents. As Smart was presenting Burgess with a framed jersey and the Rams crowded around, Mason's players ran onto the floor and started doing layups, which drew boos from the crowd.
VCU has won 104 games since Burgess arrived. That's more than anyone in school history.
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