By Steven Goff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 10, 2007

Coach Jim Larranaga began his 11th season at George Mason last night optimistic that his veteran team would parlay last March's dash to the Colonial Athletic Association tournament final into a fulfilling start this fall. But when Larranaga called a timeout with a nine-point deficit 7 1/2 minutes into the second half against Vermont, he was having flashbacks to the badly uneven regular season of a year ago.

It took only a few minutes, though, for the Patriots to reverse course.

Spurred in part by a skinny freshman, Mason overtook the Catamounts and registered a 60-53 victory in a wayward-shooting game before 6,665 at Patriot Center.

"I wouldn't call it first-game jitters, but I might call it first-game adrenaline because we were flying," Larranaga said. "Even in the introductions we were jumping higher than ever before. When you feel that way, it's hard to calm yourself down and make a wide-open shot."

The Patriots did not make many. They shot 34 percent and made 1 of 17 three-pointers, but atoned for 2-of-8 free throw shooting in the first half by making 15 of 18 after intermission.

Will Thomas had 16 points and a career-high 17 rebounds despite leg cramps that forced him to the bench several times in the second half. Jordan Carter, John Vaughan and Folarin Campbell scored 11 apiece and 6-foot-10, 206-pound freshman Vlad Moldoveanu (St. John's High) added five points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes.

Marqus Blakely scored all of his 17 points in the second half for the Catamounts, who made only three field goals in the final 12-plus minutes and shot 32 percent overall.

"It was expected," Vaughan said of Mason's struggles. "We are a veteran, experienced team, but it is opening night. . . . Once we got a rhythm, we got it going really good."

With power forward Darryl Monroe recovering from toe surgery, Larranaga's starting lineup was shorter than some high school teams: a pair of 6-footers, a 6-3 guard, a 6-4 swingman and a 6-7 forward.

The game plan did not deviate, though, as the Patriots' first option was to drop the ball into Thomas in the low post. Thomas fought through frequent double-teams for points and fouls, but when he did pass to open teammates on the perimeter, the shots were off.

The Patriots led 24-19 lead at the break, but Mike Trimboli struck for 10 points in 5:40 as Vermont surged to a five-point lead. Mason's play continued to deteriorate and a three-miss possession was sandwiched by Blakely's dunk and Nick Vier's three-pointer to give the Catamounts a 43-34 edge.

"Our offense created their offense," Larranaga said. "We made some mental mistakes to start the second half and I was very concerned about that because that's something we did last year."

The Patriots answered with a 10-0 run, capped by Thomas's three-point play. After Vermont regained the lead, Mason went on an 11-4 spurt for a 55-49 lead. The Catamounts got within two, but a turnover with 41 seconds left and Mason's 5-of-6 free throw shooting sealed it.

The game marked a return to the Washington area for Vermont Coach Mike Lonergan, a Carroll High graduate who guided his college alma mater, Catholic University, to an NCAA Division III title. The Catamounts -- who tied a program record with 25 victories last season and are picked to finish third this year -- will play at Virginia tomorrow.

¿ NAVY 88, LONGWOOD 72: Greg Sprink scored 28 points to lead the Midshipmen in the opener for both teams in Farmville, Va.

¿ DUQUESNE 129, HOWARD 59: Kieron Achara scored a career-high 29 points and Kojo Mensah added 23 as the Dukes matched their most lopsided victory ever, in the opener for both schools. The 129 points were the most scored by Duquesne in the 92-year history of its basketball program.