One and Done: Patriots Bounced By Irish

By Connect Mason Sports Director Damien Sordelett
Photos by Broadside Photography Editor Courtney Erland

DENVER - With as much optimism coming into this NCAA Tournament as a result of the 2006 Final Four run, many felt that the George Mason Patriots would duplicate that feat and make another appearance in late March.

As the final buzzer sounded, those thoughts of optimism were replaced with tears of sorrow as towel-covered heads were hung low as the players slowly walked to the locker room.

This did not go how it was planned.

• See photos of the pre-game festivities and the face-off against Notre Dame.

Luke Harangody scored 18 points and fifth-seeded Notre Dame used a 17-0 run midway through the first half to take full control of the contest as the Irish bounced No. 12 George Mason out of the NCAA Tournament with a 68-50 victory Thursday night at the Pepsi Center.

"I think any time you get off to a great start, it certainly helps you. We did that," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. "I thought our defense really for the game was the story of it. To hold them to 21 points in the first half and 50 for the game I think was the story line of the game."

That and Notre Dame's (25-7) ability to shoot from beyond the arc made this game lopsided early. During that game-changing run, the Irish hit four of their nine 3-pointers to really change the complexion of the game.

"I don't think Notre Dame had to change anything they planned to do," George Mason coach Jim Larranaga said. "We were constantly searching for both an offensive theme and a defensive theme that would work."

The only thing that worked much of the night was George Mason's (23-11) ability to get the ball to Will Thomas on a consistent basis. The senior forward had a game-high 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds despite constantly being harassed inside by multiple defenders.

Outside of Thomas' performance, the Patriots as a team shot 9-for-43 from the field. This is a stark contrast from a team that shot 47 percent before Thursday's catastrophe.

CAA Tournament MVP Folarin Campbell could never establish a rhythm throughout the game. The senior scored only four points on 1 of 12 shooting.

"They put a bigger guy on me, made it hard for me to get the ball," said a teary-eyed Campbell after the game. "Every time I shot, it was contested. They just played tremendous defense."