Box Score (PDF)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The George Mason University men's tennis team battled to the end, but ultimately dropped a 4-3 decision to host Duquesne on Sunday in the Steel City.
 
Mason won three of the six singles matches, but dropped the doubles point as the Dukes claimed victory.
 
"It's always tough losing a close 4-3 match, but the guys made an improvement in overall play and have been doing so consistently from match to match," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "We need to push ourselves even more in practice so we can get to the level we know we are capable of. We haven't been able to put it all together yet."
 
Freshman Carter Bradford and senior Pally Ray took their opponents to the limit at No. 3 doubles before falling, 7-6. Mason dropped the other two doubles matches to move on to singles trailing, 1-0.
 
Mason went down 3-0, before sophomore Edward Ayers got the Patriots on the board with a victory at No. 2 singles. Ayers made quick work of Duquense's Chris Corrao, winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.
 
Trailing 3-1, Bradford pulled the Patriots within one with a win at No. 6. He won 6-3, 6-1, to improve to a perfect 4-0 in his first ever dual season.
 
Duquesne clinched the match at the No. 4 position. Senior Daniel Gutierrez won the second set, 6-3, to tie up his match, but could not close it out in the third.
 
Junior Giuliano Buzoianu won at No. 5 singles, 6-2, 7-6, to grab Mason's third point of the day.
 
"We will get back to the drawing board in doubles so we can start out the match with a little more momentum in our favor," Davis said. "Some guys stepped up big when we got down and I'm proud of the resiliency we showed. Playing two tough teams exploited some weaknesses that we can improve in practice this week. We're looking forward to getting back to work so we can continue to get better."
 
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