LOUDONVILLE - Jimmy Patsos balked at the fact that his team played well for just the early portion of Friday's 74-62 season-opening loss against the University at Albany.

Starting three freshmen and having a fourth as the team's leading scorer, he may be correct.

“We played well in the game for having four freshmen," said Patsos, on Monday, before practice and the team's departure north to Vermont.

There were more than 11,000 people in the crowd and yet, none of the freshmen seemed fazed in the slightest.

“It was intense the whole game," said point guard Marquis Wright. "A lot of people — bright lights, but I don’t think it affected us any."

Mike McMahon/The Record

Wright and the Saints jumped out to a 16-point lead in the first half, riding the energy from the crowd and the emotion of starting a new era, with coach Patsos.

“We just have to keep it that way ­— play that way the whole game," Wright said. "I’d say we didn’t play as well the last 10 minutes, but it’s all going to come.”

Wright, who was named a captain, something very rare for a freshman, scored eight points and finished and five rebounds, with six assists against just three turnovers in 34 minutes of action. 

“I think I did well for my first college game," he said. "It can always get better — cutting down turnovers and helping my team more.”

Maurice White (left) scored 17 points to lead the team in scoring, off of the bench, a place he may not be too much longer, Patsos indicated on Monday.

"I think I played really well," said White, who was dealing with a groin issue and wasn't sure how much time he would see.

White ended up playing 26 minutes and grabbing six rebounds. White also became the first freshman to lead the team in scoring since Alex Franklin (20 points) did so, against Stanford on Nov. 11, 2006.

In total, the freshmen scored 42 of the team's 62 points, but it wasn't enough. 

“We played hard," Wright said. "We just came up short.”