Obama on hand as Beavers beat Colonials

Oregon State 64, George Washington 57: Seth Tarver scored 18 points, and the Beavers beat the Colonials on Saturday with President Obama and his family watching from courtside in half-full Smith Center.

Brother-in-law Craig Robinson is the Oregon State coach, and the president brought along first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson.

The coach said he enjoyed having his family at the game.

“He’s a huge basketball fan,” Robinson said of the president. “He pays close attention, and he’s always followed us.”

Oregon State (2-3) led 14-0 before GW realized the game had started, but the Colonials (4-1) managed to narrow the deficit to 10 with a run late in the first half.

The first Pac-10 team to play in the Smith Center kept up its fast-paced offense, though, and the Beavers held on in the second half.

Obama received a basketball signed by GW players and coaches, along with a jersey and shorts. Coach Karl Hobbs thanked Obama and his family for attending the game.

“Students, this is why you come to GW,” Hobbs said.

Tulane 76, George Mason 71: Kevin Sims scored 22 points, and the host Green Wave defeated the Patriots.

The Green Wave (2-3) trailed 40-34 with 18:17 left in the game before going on a 10-2 run. Asim McQueen gave Tulane a 44-42 lead on a jump shot with 15:32 left to play.

The Patriots (3-3) tied the score at 64-64, but the Green Wave pulled away in the final 2:26.

Tulane led 74-71 with 15.4 seconds remaining and George Mason’s Cam Long missed a 3-pointer. Sims then hit two free throws with seven seconds left to seal the win.

McQueen had 16 points and four steals, and Aaron Holmes added 10 for the Green Wave, who scored 20 points off 20 Patriots’ turnovers.

Maryland-Eastern Shore 65, American 58: Tim Burns and Neal Pitt scored 16 points each to pace the Hawks to a victory over the Eagles in Princess Anne, Md.

Burns scored six points during a 15-4 run at the end of the first half that lifted the Hawks (1-5) from a 21-17 deficit to a 32-25 lead.

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