Patriots Drop Exhibition Opener at Villanova

VILLANOVA, Pa. – The short-handed George Mason University men’s basketball team fell in its exhibition opener to Villanova, 84-67, on Saturday afternoon at the Finneran Pavilion. Missing starting point guard Baraka Okojie and Makhai Valentine , the Patriots trailed by six (54-48) with 10:18 remaining, but a late 14-3 run by Villanova ultimately put the game out of reach. Graduate guard Brayden O’Connor led the Patriots with a team-high 14 points and dished out two assists in 31 minutes. Sophomore Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor , who played 25 games in the BIG EAST last year with Butler, added 12 points, seven rebounds…