Box Score (PDF)

* Sophomore Ian Boyd led the Patriots with a career-best 18 points (13 in the second half)
* Otis Livingston II added 18 points (6-10 FG) and three assists
* Freshman Goanar Mar scored in double figures for the fifth time in six games (17 pts)
 
RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico – The George Mason University men's basketball team (3-3) nearly erased a 17-point deficit but could not complete the comeback, dropping a 79-73 decision to Fresno State (3-2) on Wednesday night in the Cancun Challenge.
 
The Patriots trailed 41-24 in the first half and by as many as 14 (47-33) in the second half. Mason chipped in to the lead gradually throughout the second half and got within three (76-73) with 23 seconds left. But the Patriots could not quite get over the hump and the Bulldogs held on for the win.
 
The high-octane Fresno State offense – which came into the game shooting over 50 percent on the year – came as advertised. The Bulldogs shot 52.7 percent (29-55) from the floor and made eight 3-pointers on the night. Mason shot 51.7 percent (15-29) in the second half but just 34.5 percent (10-29) in the first.
 
Sophomore Ian Boyd led the Green & Gold with a career-best 18 points – 13 of which came in the second half – and grabbed eight rebounds in 35 minutes of work.
 
Junior Otis Livingston II added 18 points (6-10 FG, 2-3 3pt FG) and dished out three assists while freshman Goanar Mar continued his stellar play with 17 points (7-11 FG), 15 of which came in the second stanza.
 
In addition, Jaire Grayer totaled 12 points and gobbled up team-high nine rebounds in 32 minutes.
 
The Patriots hit four of their first seven shots to build an early 10-7 advantage. Fresno State responded with a 12-0 run over a 3+ minute stretch to go up 19-10 at the 13:05 mark of the first half. The Bulldogs hit their fourth 3-pointer in five attempts to extend the lead to 10 (27-17), and a 7-0 spurt from Fresno made it 41-24 with 2:40 to play in the period. Mason entered the half trailing 43-29.
 
The Patriots hit seven of their first 10 shots in the second half – including three from Mar and two from Boyd – to pull within eight (52-44) at the 15-minute mark of the stanza. The Patriots then made three of their next four – including two great finishes from Boyd – to pull within three (57-54) with 11:11 to go.
 
Mason kept the margin at three (61-58) at the 8:33 mark of the half, but Fresno State used a 3-point play to extend the lead back to eight (71-63) with 4:09 to go.
 
With the Bulldogs leading 75-69 with 2:09 left, Mason scored four of the next six to cut it to three (76-73) with 23 seconds remaining. But the Patriots could not get any closer for the remainder of the game as Fresno State escaped with the win.
 
Mason now takes a week-long competitive hiatus to enjoy a Thanksgiving break. The Patriots will return to action next Wednesday (Nov. 29) with a road contest against former CAA rival James Madison. Tip-off in Harrisonburg is set for 7 p.m.