Senior guard Nate Langley scored 18 points to lead five players in double figures as the George Mason men's basketball team defeated Alabama State, 97-66, in the season opener for both teams Saturday night in the Patriot Center.

George Redd added 14 points and eight rebounds, Demetrius Somerville added 12 points, Nik Mirich 11 and Kevin Ward 10 and eight boards as the Patriots won their fifth consecutive home opener.

Leading 15-11 with 12:30 to play in the opening half, George Mason scored nine straight points in the next 2:49 to take a 26-11 advantage with just over nine minutes to play in the half. Langley scored 12 of his points in the first 20 minutes as the Patriots maintained a 42-27 edge. George Mason jumped on the Hornets early in the second half, outscoring them 21-6 in the first five minutes to take a commanding 63-33 lead with 15:01 to go. Five different players scored in the decisive run.

"This was a decent first game," said George Mason head coach Paul Westhead. "The guys have been playing together and I have a more balanced team than I've had in a long time. I am extending the rotation to nine or 10 guys and if it works we'll stay wit it."

Twelve of the Patriots 13 players scored and 10 played 10 or more minutes. George Mason made 33 of 67 field goals for 49.3 percent, including 19 of 33 (57.6 percent) in the second half. Alabama State connected on only 25 of 73 from the floor for 34.2 percent. The taller Patriots owned the backboards, compiling a 58-31 rebounding advantage, with 20 coming on the offensive end.

Mirich, a 6-9 sophomore center, added seven rebounds and made a pair of 3-pointers.

"Nik can be an unexpected factor for George Mason this year," Westhead said.

Alabama State head coach Rob Spivery, whose team plays at Georgetown on Tuesday, knew his team would face a tough contest.

"We don't have the athletes right now to compete with the teams on our schedule at this point," said the first-year head coach. "At times we played right into their hands. I think they have the makings of a very good basketball team."

George Mason will host in-state rival Virginia Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m.

Men's Basketball Contact: Jim Engelhardt (993-3269)