George Mason redshirt junior guard John Vaughan began theseason with one career block. But for the second straight game this fall, Vaughan made a key second-half rejection from behind on an opposing fast break, sparking the Patriots to a 56-47 victory over Cleveland State in front of 4,127 at Patriot Center.
The victory gave head coach Jim Larranaga his first 2-0 start in 11 seasons at George Mason.
Vaughan, who tied Will Thomas with a team-high 18 points, made the block during a game-changing sequence midway through the second half with the Patriots barely ahead, 37-36. Six-foot-10 freshman Vlad Moldoveanu finished off the play with a block of his own and his first career 3-pointer at the other end of the floor for a 40-36 lead.
“I made the great block, but it was my other four teammates hustling down,” said Vaughan, who scored 18 points. “Vlad made a great block after that, and we got the rebound. It was a total team effort. It’s just about the will, wanting to win.”
Cedric Jackson led the Vikings (1-1) with 20 points.
