More March Madness Tickets Punched On Monday

ESPN Championship Week is in full swing, as all those mid-major teams are getting their annual two hours of attention from the Worldwide Leader.

George Mason William & Mary San Diego Gonzaga

On Monday night, four more tickets were punched for the Big Dance:

• By George, they’re back! George Mason, the Final Four darling of 2006, is returning to the Field of 65 after winning the CAA title. The Patriots scalped William & Mary 68-59, much to the chagrin of Tribe alum Jon Stewart. But the fans from Fairfax are confident about their team’s chances, as one sign at Monday’s game proudly read, “George Mason is this year’s George Mason.”

• It was a happy birthday indeed for Tay Fisher, as the Siena senior led his Saints to the MAAC crown with a 74-53 rout of Rider. Fisher celebrated his 22nd b-day with 21 points, including six three-pointers. Too bad he couldn’t get just one more foul shot to make it a perfect evening.

Stephen Curry did daddy Dell proud, notching 23 points in Davidson’s Southern Conference-clinching victory over Elon. The Wildcats’ 65-49 win also completed an undefeated SoCon season slate.

Elon Fighting Christians

DEADSPIN thinks Elon would have had a better chance if the Phoenix had kept their original nickname - the Fightin’ Christians.

Rob Jones’ claim to fame has been as the grandson of crazed cult leader Jim Jones. But now the San Diego forward can finally be remembered for something else - leading his Toreros to the Tournament with a 69-62 gouging of Gonzaga. Jones scored 15 points to help key a big second-half run against the Bulldogs and claim the West Coast Conference championshp.

It was the first time San Diego beat Gonzaga since 2003 - which also was an WCC title game. It helped that the Toreros were playing at home, winning on a court named after a lady known for losing (pounds, that is) - Jenny Craig Pavilion.

No, really.

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