KINGSTON, R.I. – The George Mason women's basketball team came up short against Rhode Island, 47-42, on Saturday afternoon inside the Ryan Center.

Down two with 24 seconds remaining (42-40), the Patriots' final field goal attempts fell short (47-42). The Patriots move 1-8 in Atlantic 10 play and 7-15 overall while the Rams improve to 4-4 in the A-10 and 11-9 overall.

Junior Nicole Cardaño-Hillary registered her first career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. It marks the 19th time the guard has scored in double figures this season.

Senior Jacy Bolton notched a near double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. She was the only Patriot to make a three-point field goal, finishing with two in the contest. Senior Allie McCool provided valuable minutes off the bench, adding four points and four rebounds. The Patriots were +8 with McCool on the floor.

The Patriots finished with a 25.8 percent (17-66) mark from the floor and 8.0 percent (2-25) mark from three-point range. Mason's defense held Rhode Island to a 29.1 percent (16-55) mark from the floor, but the Patriots scored a season-low 42 points on the other end.

Mason struggled offensively in the opening quarter of play, missing their first nine shots of the game. Cardaño-Hillary then scored four straight points as Mason trailed 11-4 with 3:34 on the clock. Freshman Jordan Wakefield scored a layup with a minute remaining (12-6). The Patriots held Rhode Island scoreless for the final three minutes of the quarter, but tied their season-low for points in a period with six.

Four straight points from Cardaño-Hillary ignited a 10-0 run for the Patriots in the second quarter. The run powered Mason to take its first lead of the game with 2:22 left in the half (16-14). On the other end, Mason's defense held Rhode Island scoreless for nearly seven minutes while forcing five turnovers. The Rams responded with a 6-0 spurt to end the half back in front, 20-16.

At the half, Mason was 24.2 percent (8-33) from the floor and 0-of-10 from deep. The Patriots held the Rams to a 25.0 percent (7-28) mark while forcing 12 turnovers.

Bolton knocked down Mason's first three of the game with 8:07 left in the third quarter (23-19). After a scoring drought of three minutes, Mason hit three straight field goals to pull within four (31-27). A pair of free throws by Bolton cut the deficit to five at the end of the third quarter (34-29).

The two teams exchanged 4-0 spurts to begin the final stanza (38-33). Bolton's second trey of the day pulled Mason within four with 3:57 remaining (40-36). Marika Korpinen and Sarah Kaminski each made a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to two with 24 seconds left in the game (42-40). The Patriots came up short on their final attempts from the floor, falling to the Rams 47-42.

The Patriots return home Wednesday vs. UMass for Sue Collins National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., with a pregame reception beginning at 6 p.m.