Nov. 16, 1998

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Brian Lynch scored 20 points and Howard Brown added 18 as Villanova opened its season with an 86-76 victory over George Mason on Monday night.

George Evans had 24 points, and Keith Holdan and Jason Miskiri 14 points each, for the Patriots who drop to 0-2.

Led by Lynch and playmaking freshman guard Bobby Smith, Villanova connected on 12 of its first 18 shots in the second half to take its biggest lead, 68-48, with 9:17 to play, and coasted the rest of the way.

The teams were tied at 22-22 with 6:40 left in the first half before Villanova went on a 12-3 run, 6 of the points by Lynch. The 6-6 guard also had a game-high 8 rebounds.

The Wildcats held a 40-28 lead at halftime, led by Brown's 12 points.

Rafal Bigus, Villanova's 7-1 center, added 18 points, and Jermaine Medley 11 points. Ahmad Dorsett had 11 points for George Mason, which plays in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Villanova, of the Big East, played without John Celestand, its leading scorer from last season, who was sidelined with a back injury.