Patriots Match Best Start

George Mason 61, William & Mary 57

WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 14 -- Back before anyone on the George Mason roster was born, the Patriots began a season by winning 13 of their first 16 games. No team, not even the one that reached the Final Four in 2006, has matched that illustrious start -- until now.

George Mason's 61-57 victory over William & Mary on Wednesday night at Kaplan Arena equaled the best start in program history set in 1983-84. The Patriots (13-3) also improved to 6-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association, their best conference start in school history.

"The biggest thing is we wanted to start out in front" in the CAA race, senior guard Dre Smith said. "Coach always says it's a lot better to have people chase you then you trying to chase the top people."

Right now, everyone in the CAA is chasing George Mason, which moved into sole possession of first place in the league standings. Northeastern (10-5, 5-0) was idle.

The rematch of last season's CAA tournament final turned out to be much different than the last time these teams met. This game was closely contested throughout, with neither team able to seize control.

Mason took a 42-30 lead, its biggest of the game, on Smith's three-pointer with 15 minutes 29 seconds to play. Then William & Mary (6-10, 1-5) scored seven straight points to cut the Patriots' lead to five.

The Tribe "really move without the ball so well," Coach Jim Larranaga said. "They read the defender. I know there were times our guys thought they had them covered and, boom, they got a layup."

William & Mary's complex offense, with its ball screens, ball and player movement, dribble handoffs and backdoor cuts, caused all sorts of problems for Mason. The Patriots would have the Tribe seemingly stopped, then there would be a backdoor cut for a layup or a three from the wing.

"That's one team that uses the shot clock completely," sophomore guard Cam Long said. "As soon as you rest, that's the time they're going to get the ball to that person and he's going to score."

As usual, Mason needed a balanced effort. Smith sank four three-pointers to finish with 14 points. He also had six rebounds. Long had nine points, seven rebounds and four assists. Darryl Monroe, the CAA player of the week, just missed his fourth consecutive double-double, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds. John Vaughan had 13 points and three blocks.

· DUQUESNE 88, GW 83: Freshman Melquan Bolding scored a career-high 26 points and the Dukes rallied in Pittsburgh to hand the Colonials their sixth straight loss.

Rob Diggs had 25 points and Noel Wilmore added 14 for George Washington (6-8, 0-2 Atlantic 10), which shot 64 percent and made 8 of 10 three-pointers. GW led by 13 in the first half, but Duquesne took an 80-77 lead on a three-pointer by Damian Saunders with 2:49 left. The Dukes (12-4, 3-0) made 13 threes.

Before the game, GW announced that guard Xavier Alexander has voluntarily withdrawn from the university. Coach Karl Hobbs said the 6-foot-7 sophomore will be able to transfer. Alexander started 12 games and averaged 3.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

· NAVY 63, LEHIGH 58: In Bethlehem, Pa., the Midshipmen's Adam Teague made a three-pointer with four seconds left to snap a tie at 58, and after the Mountain Hawks received a technical foul for having six players on the court, Chris Harris sealed the victory with two free throws.

Kaleo Kina scored 18 points to lead Navy (13-4, 2-0 Patriot League). Zahir Carrington had 21 points and 11 rebounds for Lehigh (10-6, 0-2).

· AMERICAN 69, BUCKNELL 55: At Bender Arena, Derrick Mercer had a career-high 12 assists and Garrison Carr scored 25 points to lead the Eagles to their fifth straight win. American (10-6, 2-0 Patriot League) held the Bison (3-13, 0-2) to 28.8 percent shooting and led by 25 points in the second half.