Queens, N.Y. - George Mason surprised 10th-ranked Saint Louis 3-0 in the first game of St. John's Nike Classic at Belson Stadium. It was the Billikens' worst loss since a 4-0 decision to UAB in the 1999 Conference USA championship match in Birmingham.

The Patriots dominated the first half while building a 2-0 lead. GMU fired the first eight shots of the game before Billiken midfielder Danny Wynn fired just wide of the left post in the 22nd minute. GMU forward Teba McKnight put the Patriots on the board in the 26th minute after a SLU giveaway in the midfield. McNight lofted a 22-yard shot into the upper right corner out of Bills keeper Pat Disbennett's reach.

GMU's Barry Suber added to the lead in the 34th minute. Midfielder Josh Fleming knocked down a Bills clearing attempt and sent a low drive into the SLU penalty area. Suber settled it, pivoted and fired a low 12-yard drive into the right corner. The Billikens nearly cut into the lead in the 43rd minute when midfielder Alex Matteson found Will John seven yards to the left post, but John's shot hammered off the goal post. GMU out-shot the Bills 10-4 in the opening half.

Saint Louis pressed the attack in the opening moments of the second half and had six corner kicks in the first 15 minutes. Off one of John DiRaimondo's corners in the 51st minute, John got off three straight shots from eight yards off the right post. GMU keeper John O'Hara stopped the first, the rebound came back to John and Patriots defender Anthony Noriega stopped the second attempt. That rebound came back to John, and O'Hara parried the next shot over the end line.

In another anxious moment for GMU, John danced among three Patriots defenders before sending an 18-yard shot rolling just outside the left post. GMU ended any thought of a SLU comeback on David Quinn's goal at 69:22. Quinn appeared to be sending a cross from the right flank to the far post, but it glanced off Disbennett's fingertips and fell into the goal.

George Mason (3-2-0) out-shot the Billikens 14-11, although SLU had an 8-4 edge on corners. O'Hara made two saves to post the shutout, while SLU's Disbennett stopped three shots.

Saint Louis (3-2-0) faces host St. John's Saturday night at 7 p.m. (CT).

GEORGE MASON 3, #10 SAINT LOUIS 0
GMU 25:27 Teba McKnight 22 yds unassisted
GMU  33:12  Barry Suber 12 yds from Josh Fleming
GMU  69:22 David Quinn 20 yds from McKnight

Shots: SLU - 11, GMU - 14 Corners: SLU - 8, GMU - 4 Saves: SLU - 3 (Disbennett), GMU - 3 (O'Hara - 2, Team - 1) Fouls: SLU - 13, GMU - 19