FAIRFAX, Va. – In front of 1,414 fans on Elementary School Day, the George Mason women's basketball team came up short against Bucknell, 64-51, Wednesday morning at EagleBank Arena. The Patriots drop to 4-5 overall while the Bison improve to 5-3 on the season.

The Patriots shot a season-low 27.5 percent from the field (14-51) and just 20.0 percent from deep (3-15). Mason managed to get to the free throw line 30 times, converting on 20 of the attempts (.667). 

Senior Jacy Bolton led the Patriots with 12 points, six rebounds and three steals. Freshman Vita Stam scored six points to go along with six rebounds in her Mason debut.

Bucknell jumped out to an early 7-2 lead thanks to seven straight points. The Patriots responded with a 7-0 spurt over 3:03 minutes, including Stam's first career basket and a three-pointer by Nicole Cardaño-Hillary (11-9). Mason earned seven second chance points in the first 10 minutes of play; however, they trailed by one possession at the end of the first period (15-13).

Back-to-back baskets by Bucknell extended its lead to seven with 8:33 to go (20-13). Four free throws by Bolton later cut the Bison advantage to three (20-17). The Bison continued its offensive attack with a 7-0 run to lead 27-17 with 4:18 remaining. Gatling made Mason's first field goal of the quarter with 4:04 on the clock (27-19). Mason held Bucknell scoreless for the final 2:29 minutes of the quarter as the Patriots went on a 6-0 spurt to cut the deficit to three at the break (29-26). 

Mason shot 24.0 percent from the field (6-25) and 28.6 percent from deep (2-7) in the first half. The Patriots held the advantage on the glass (23-20), second chance points (13-5) and bench points (12-7). 12 of Mason's 26 first-half points came from the free throw line.

Bucknell's Tess Brugler went 3-for-3 to start the third quarter (35-26). Mason scored its first points of the stanza after a pair of free throws by Cardaño-Hillary with 6:32 on the clock (35-28). The Patriots did not score again until the 2:40 minute-mark after a Bolton layup (43-30). Back-to-back three pointers by Bucknell gave the Bison their largest lead of the game with under two minutes to go in the period (49-30). The Patriots found themselves down by 16 with one quarter remaining (52-36).

Mason locked down on defense to open the fourth quarter, forcing six turnovers. However, neither team scored a field goal for the first three minutes of the period (52-39). Mason pulled within 12 after a jumper by Stam and back-to-back baskets by Alexsis Grate (62-50). The Patriots outscored the Bison 15-12 in the quarter, but ultimately fell to Bucknell – 64-51.

The Patriots will take a two-week break from action before traveling to Navy on Thursday, Dec. 19. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Annapolis, Md.