G. Mason Eventually Gets It Started

Until their senior point guard returns from injury and the freshman reserves mature, the George Mason Patriots understand that balanced production from their starting lineup is going to be vital to their success.

So it was with great satisfaction that Coach Jim Larranaga scanned the final statistics of last night's 72-64 victory over Liberty before 6,083 at Patriot Center and noted the equality of the contributions.

For the second consecutive game, each starter scored in double figures and Dre Smith made five three-pointers. Smith (15 points) was the early catalyst and, with the game tied early in the second half, back-court teammate John Vaughan rediscovered his scoring touch after a miserable start to spark a 14-0 run.

Folarin Campbell, inheriting additional ballhandling responsibilities in the absence of injured Jordan Carter, contributed eight assists and Louis Birdsong (11 points) complemented Will Thomas (17 points, 11 rebounds) inside to crack Liberty's active zone defense. Three reserves combined for just two points in 23 minutes.

"It's difficult for a team to just concentrate on trying to stop one guy," Larranaga said after his team shot 52 percent overall and made 9 of 19 three-pointers.

By virtue, the Patriots (9-3) will head into the new year with their home record unblemished and five straight games approaching against Colonial Athletic Association opponents with losing records, beginning Wednesday at Georgia State.

"These guys, we love to play," Smith said of the starters, who logged at least 34 minutes apiece. "We don't really worry about how many guys we don't have; we just go out there and play whoever is out there. I trust each one of these guys."

Despite scoring the game's first nine points, the Patriots found themselves even with the Flames (6-7) with 16 1/2 minutes remaining. But Campbell followed his miss with a driving basket and Vaughan, who had two three-point air balls and two missed free throws during a scoreless first half, made his second straight three-pointer. Vaughan contributed four more points and Smith hit his fourth three-pointer as Mason roared to a 46-32 lead.

Later, Campbell added a three-pointer and finished an alley-oop layup assisted by Vaughan to stretch the margin to 17. Vaughan's only serious misstep of the half was a missed breakaway dunk, which was followed by a Liberty rally that trimmed the deficit to six with 1:45 to go.

Asked if Larranaga said anything to him, Vaughan (13 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) answered, "I'm pretty sure he did in his mind [and] I will hear about it in practice."

Anthony Smith made 4 of 7 three-pointers and finished with 24 points for the Flames, who shot 51 percent but went scoreless for more than five minutes during Mason's decisive run.

Patriots Notes: Jay Threatt, a freshman guard from Richmond who did not score in four brief appearances, has left the team and will transfer. . . . Carter (foot injury) seems doubtful for Wednesday, though Larranaga said a decision has not been made. . . . Campbell moved into sixth place in assists in program history.

VIRGINIA 78, HARTFORD 70: Mamadi Diane had 20 points and nine rebounds, and Adrian Joseph added 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers at home.

Virginia (10-2) grabbed the lead early in the first half and never let go, holding a 41-28 edge at the break.

Diane was 6 of 8 from the field and went 4 for 5 on three-pointers while Joseph posted his fifth double-double of the season.

Sean Singletary added 12 points, scoring in the double figures for the 34th consecutive game, the longest active streak in the ACC.