Box Score Box Score (PDF)

* Mason shot a season-high 63.3 percent from the floor
* Senior Marquise Moore tallied a career-high 28 points and made 3-of-5 3-pointers
* Otis Livingston II did not miss (5-5 FG, 3-3 3pt FG, 6-6 FT) and finished with 19 points
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team (15-8, 5-5) shot a season-best 63.3 percent from the floor during an important 95-75 victory over La Salle Saturday night inside EagleBank Arena.
 
The Patriots made 31-of-49 shots on the night and hit 55.6 percent (10-18) of their shots from 3-point range.
 
Mason led 47-35 at the break and the Explorers could not move closer than five (68-63) for the remainder of the game.
 
"Our team put forth a terrific effort tonight," head coach Dave Paulsen said. "Our whole team contributed to the victory. We shot the ball well but we shared it better. That's what we want to build upon moving forward."
 
Senior Marquise Moore returned from illness in grand fashion, tallying career highs in points (28) and 3-pointers made (3) while grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out five assists in 36 minutes.
 
Sophomore Jaire Grayer added a season-best 22 points while grabbing seven rebounds. The pride of Flint, Mich., made 4-of-6 3-point attempts to continue his torrid shooting start to A-10 play.
 
Otis Livingston II couldn't miss – literally – as the sophomore made 5-of-5 shots from the field, 3-of-3 3-pointers and 5-of-5 attempts from the line. He finished with 19 points and three assists in the contest. Redshirt-senior Jalen Jenkins added 16 points (5-6 FG), three rebounds and three assists.
 
Mason shot 67.7 percent (21-31) from 2-point range and worked the ball inside all night, finishing with a +8 (34-26) edge in points in the paint.
 
The Patriots also were +11 (20-9) on the glass in the second half and held a 35-21 edge overall for the game.
 
La Salle (12-9, 6-4) made five of their first seven 3-point attempts and led 21-10 at the 13:25 mark of the first half. From there, the Patriots stepped up their defense, holding the Explorers without a point for more than five minutes. The resulting 15-0 surge by Mason gave the Patriots a 25-21 lead with 9:40 to go in the period.
 
The Patriots used another 12-2 run soon after to extend their spurt to 30-9 overall. At the end of the stretch, Mason led by 14 (44-30) and eventually pulled into the halftime break ahead by 12 (47-35).
 
A Grayer 3-pointer moved Mason ahead 50-35 to start the second half, but the Explorers scored 15 of the next 22 points to move back within seven (57-50) at the 14:17 mark.
 
Mason went back up 12 at 62-50, but again, the Explorers surged back with a 3-pointer explosion to pull within five (68-63) with 8:25 to go.
 
But an untimely technical by the La Salle bench tilted momentum back in Mason's favor for good. Four-straight free throws pushed the Patriots back up 11 (76-65) with 6:45 left, and Mason closed the game on a 13-5 run to wrap up the victory.
 
The win improves the Patriots to 3-1 all time against La Salle.
 
Mason now goes back on the road for a Wednesday contest at Davidson. Tip-off in North Carolina is set for 7 p.m. The game will be televised live on American Sports Network.

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