Bryon Allen connected on a reverse layup with 3.4 seconds left to push George Mason past Georgia State, 61-59, last night. Mason advances to the semifinal round for the sixth time in the past seven years. The Patriots will meet VCU for the third time since Valentine’s Day. The teams, which split a pair of regular season meetings this year, will meet in the tournament for the fourth consecutive year.

“As soon as we got in the locker room, we said, ‘Now we get the matchup that we are looking for again,’ ” said Mike Morrison to Steven Goff. “It’s a great rivalry. We’re definitely ready to play them again.”

Morrison had 12 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots on the night and carried the Patriots emotionally as well while conference player of the year Ryan Pearson struggled, eventually fouling out.

“People (underestimate) how smart this guy is,” said coach Paul Hewitt.

With just three seconds separating the game clock and shot clock, Allen patiently waited and attacked the rim with less than eight seconds on the clock. The sophomore drove from right to left and went underneath the basket before converting the challenged reverse layup to put the Patriots ahead for good.

“Bryon made a bit-time shot,” Hewitt said plainly.

Conference player of the year Ryan Pearson was a non-factor, making one of five shots and scoring two points in the first half. With eight turnovers in the first stanza the Patriots had to feel fortunate they were down just 30-25.

Georgia State came out of the gate too fast–driving into traffic and rushing shots.

With Pearson sitting on the bench with four fouls, Mason slowly assumed command and took a 52-46 lead on a thunder jam from Sherrod Wright. But Georgia State refused to go away and tied the game on a steal and layup by James Fields with 33 seconds remaining. Field took the ball from Paris Bennett, who was inserted into the game for the first time after both Pearson and Morrison had fouled out.

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