Patriots' Late Run Topples an Old Foe

Win Over Nemesis VCU Tightens CAA Race : George Mason 63, Virginia Commonwealth 51

As he strolled off the Patriot Center court last night, free from the mob of jubilant students that had swarmed his players, George Mason Coach Jim Larranaga drew immense satisfaction from two defining events that unfolded over the previous two hours.

First and foremost, there was the 63-51 victory over Virginia Commonwealth that pulled the Patriots within one game of the first-place Rams in the Colonial Athletic Association standings and avenged a searing loss to VCU in the final of the conference tournament last March. Unlike in that game in Richmond, Mason (15-6, 7-3) preserved this late lead and pulled away to beat the Rams (15-5, 8-2) for the first time in two years.

Secondly, there was the joy of seeing the largest turnout ever by the university's student body, a thunderous group of 2,061 that contributed to the 7,917 in attendance.

"I looked up [behind the basket], and I kept looking up -- right up into the top of the rafters was filled with gold T-shirts," Larranaga said. "That's very special for me because I remember 11 years ago, my first year here, where I didn't have to look past the first row."

The Patriots made it a worthwhile outing. Trailing by six midway through the second half, Larranaga turned to a four-guard lineup that embarked on a 20-4 run before withstanding the Rams' final push.

Will Thomas had 21 points and 15 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season, and Folarin Campbell added 17 points for the Patriots, who have won five of six and improved to 10-0 at home. VCU's Jamal Shuler had 21 points, but star guard Eric Maynor was held to three points in the second half and 12 overall as the Rams' winning streak ended at seven.

"We just played with intensity," said Campbell, who made 3 of 6 three-pointers against a team that leads the nation in defending long-distance shots (25.5 percent). "We ran, we hustled, we did everything right in the second half."

A tight game began to turn in the Rams' favor with six consecutive points, capped by Shuler's three free throws with 11 1/2 minutes remaining for a 39-33 lead. Mason's offense was disintegrating rapidly as poor ball movement combined with missed shots resulted in a scoreless stretch of five-plus minutes.

Sensing the game slipping away, Larranaga made his strategic move.

"We couldn't run our offense initially and so we decided to go with four guards so we could at least handle the ball," he said. "What we ended up doing is actually playing great defense. . . . It was a great run and a great performance of five guys who never really are on the court together."

John Vaughan pestered Maynor, and Thomas, Campbell, Dre Smith and Cam Long limited the Rams to one shot per possession and forced several turnovers. The defensive pressure allowed the Patriots to settle into their offense and seize the lead for good. Campbell's three-pointer put Mason ahead, 40-39, Vaughan scored in the lane and Long made two free throws.

Thomas then took over both lanes, dunking twice and corralling defensive rebounds.

"Their intensity, the way they defended us, they did a great job of taking us out of our offense and being disruptive," Rams Coach Anthony Grant said.

The lead grew to 10 on Smith's steal and layup, but VCU responded with a 5-0 run to stir memories of last year's tournament final, when the Patriots relinquished a late five-point lead and lost by six. This time, though, Thomas powered inside for another basket and Mason made six free throws down the stretch.

"We knew we were only going to play them once during the season and it was at home, so we knew it was a must-win game," Campbell said.

Just as gratifying to Larranaga and the players was the reception and celebration from the student body.

"We feed off energy and we play with energy," Smith said, "and having a crowd like that, they were into it from start to finish."

Patriots Note: Mason will host James Madison on Saturday afternoon before playing three straight on the road (Drexel, Old Dominion and Towson) over a seven-day stretch.