FAIRFAX, VA - NOVEMBER 13: Kevin Foster #3 of the George Mason Patriots drives on Carter McMasters #41 of the Liberty University Flames during a non-conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on November 13, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

By Brian Collins
OffWing Opinion

WASHINGTON D.C. (November 13) -The Patriots opened their season against Liberty at home in the Patriot center.  The Patriots have only two returning starters, Birdsong and Long.  The rest of the starting lineup is filled with sophomores most notably was last years immerging star Pearson who lead the freshman class in scoring.  GMU has been projected to receive fourth place in the CAA.  The team predicted to win the CAA is Old Dominion which returns their entire starting lineup followed by Northeastern and VCU.

GMU began the game somewhat rusty but then rallied and led Liberty 40-27 at the end of the half.  Liberty had a difficult time getting a good look at the basket and was forced to throw up prayer shots to avoid shot clock violations.  GMU’s freshman Luke Hancock looked impressive on the court, but the real crowd pleaser was by another freshman Kevin Foster who dunked a rebound to the screams of a packed student section.

Liberty put up a good fight in the second half and made it a close game but in the end GMU won 76-72.  The Patriots where lead by Cornelius who scored 17 points, 8 other Patriots put points on the board.  GMU continues to win at home and hasn’t lost at home since the 2007 season.  The Patriots next opponent will be Dartmouth this Sunday at home.

Click on the image below to view a slideshow of images from the game:

Isaiah Tate tosses the ball over a Virginia State player. The Patriots beat the Trojans 100-82 tonight in an exhibition game at the Patriot Center. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWing Photo)

For more photos from tonight’s game click on the image below to view a slideshow.

FAIRFAX, VA – FEBRUARY 14: Andre Cornelius #2 of the George Mason Patriots drives to the basket against the Northeastern Huskies during a conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 14, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

Mason lost its fifth straight road game on Thursday night to Delaware. Despite suffering on the road they are still in third place behind Northeastern and VCU. Which made their homecoming verse Northeastern all that more important. The last time these two teams met up was a thriller a month ago in Boston, NE won in the last seconds of the game.

FAIRFAX, VA – FEBRUARY 14: Michael Morrison #22 of the George Mason Patriots drives on Chris Alvarez #2 of the Northeastern Huskies during a conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 14, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

At the end of the first half NE lead Mason 20-17. Both teams defense lived up to their reputation and repeatedly shut down their opponents. There were a few sloppy plays and turnovers but for the most part the defense was the story for both teams.

FAIRFAX, VA – FEBRUARY 14: Dre Smith #2 of the George Mason Patriots draws a foul from the Northeastern Huskies during a conference game at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA on February 14, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)

The other highlight for the Patriots was a growing phenomenon known as Mason Nation. G-M-U! What! G-M-U! What! That was the war cry for a packed homecoming game at the Patriot Center. The student sections sprawled up to the rafters, compared to over the winter break were the same sections were only a dozen rows deep at most.

George Mason went on to win the game 64-53 which keeps them undefeated at home. They will take on Drexel Wednesday night and hopefully keep their home streak alive. They need all the wins they can get to boost their confidence as they soon will enter the month of madness.

Story by Brian Collins

www.flickr.com     Off Wing Opinion’s 2009.02.14 George Mason vs. Northeastern, Allen Clark/OffWingPhoto.com photoset