The George Mason Patriots (1-2) dropped their second game of the season with a 78-76 overtime loss to Mount St. Mary's (1-3) at EagleBank Arena.

The first half of the game, the Patriots and the Mountaineers had eight lead changes and the score was tied eight times, but Mount St. Mary's took a one-point edge into the locker room, 37-36. The Mount hit four of their five three-pointers in the opening half, led by Greg Alexander's 2-of-4 effort from behind the arc. Mason senior Jalen Jenkins finished the half with 11 points.

"Every time we got up, up seven in the second half, up in the overtime, we just failed to come up with key stops," said Coach Paulsen. "I'm very disappointed in our defensive effort. I do have to give some credit to the Mount, they played well and guys made key plays." 

The second half began much of the same way with the Patriots taking their first lead of the second half, 45-44 on a DeAndre Abram jumper. Jalen Jenkins would hit back-to-back shots and guard Marquise Moore made a layup and the Patriots had their largest lead of the game at 51-44 with 12:52 to play in regulation. After a Mount bucket, Troy Temara made a layup.

Mount St. Mary's continue to whittle the Patriots lead and shaved it to one point with seven minutes to go. Jenkins responded again with back-to-back jumpers.

The score was tied at 66-66 with 1:19 to play. Junior Robinson made two free throws for the Mount to go up three points with only :17 seconds left. Moore drove to the basket under 10 seconds to play and passed to Otis Livingston in the corner where he drained the three to tie the game at 70 and head into overtime.

The Mountaineers would score all eight of their OT points in the paint and four points came off of second chance opportunities. They intercepted the Patriots long pass down the court with just over a second left on the clock to secure the win.
 
By the Numbers

• Second straight double-double for the seniors Jalen Jenkins (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Marquise Moore (19 points, 13 rebounds). Jenkins made 11-of-14 FGs, including five jumpers from around the top of the key.
• The Mount's Chris Wray had a career game, scoring 21 points on 10-of-13 FG and 10 boards to lead the Mountaineers.
• The Patriots turned the ball over 16 times compared to only eight for Mount St. Mary's leading to 13 points for the Mountaineers. Mason had only two points off TOs.
• The score was tied 15 times

Next Game
The Patriots will hit the road for the first time this season and play three games in the Gulf Coast Showcase beginning with the Houston Cougars on Monday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m.