Patriots Topple Mountaineers

FAIRFAX, VA – NOVEMBER 25: John Vaughn #23 of the George Mason Patriots scores during a non-conference game with Mount Saint Mary Mountaineers at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on November 25, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

Coming into tonight’s game the George Mason University Patriots had won their first game, then earned a dominate win over Brown in their home opener (89-52) which was the team’s second largest margin of victory ever in a home opener. They then split on the road with a loss to Hampton and a win over ECU which puts the Patriots going into the game at 3-1. Mount St. Mary’s came into the game at 1-1 with a win over Loyola and a tuff loss on the road against Virginia Tech 57-62.

While Mason started off with some good looks at the basket while the crowed cheered on but could not get anything to sink. Coach Larranaga subbed in some freshman youth from the bench, Andre Cornelius and Ryan Pearson, and the Patriots rallied from an eight point deficit. They could not hold the lead and went into half down two 27-29. The Patriots struggled from the three and only sank 1 of 8 compared to Mountaineers who made 3 of 5.

FAIRFAX, VA – NOVEMBER 25: Ryan Pearson #24 of the George Mason Patriots goes up against Mount Saint Mary Mountaineers defenders during a non-conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on November 25, 2008. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

Hustle must have been the halftime talk, at the start of the second half the Patriots came out fired up and seemed unstoppable scoring 15 in the first 5 minutes. They had several steals and seemed to rebound the ball off the boards as if they where playing a JV squad. This added fuel to the already fired up fans. The Patriots pulled ahead to keep the lead with a 72-60 Victory over Mt. St. Mary’s. The Patriots will take on Ohio this Saturday at home.

Story by Brian Collins

www.flickr.com Off Wing Opinion’s photoset