Box Score (PDF)

ST. THOMAS, USVI – The George Mason University men's basketball team was in good position to win late in Saturday's game vs. Belmont, but common problems which have plagued the Patriots all season reared their head in a 66-62 loss to the Bruins.  
 
Mason led 52-44 with 9:28 to play and 57-55 with 3:56 to go. But turnovers and missed free throws led to partial or completely empty possessions for the Patriots down the stretch, as the Bruins came back over the final minutes to take the win. 
 
In a game that was decided by four points, Mason missed eight free throws and shot 38.5 percent from the line. The Green & Gold also turned it over 17 times, which led to a +8 (21-13) edge for the Bruins in points off turnovers for the game. 
 
"This was a tough loss," head coach Kim English said "I give Belmont a ton of credit. We played better than we did against Boston College. We had a better spirit and more fight throughout. The next level for us, when we at least get that, is to execute better. That means taking care of the ball, which is becoming a consistent issue with us. It involves our defense, especially late in the game. And we have to be tough enough and mature enough to knock down our free throws." 
 
Graduate guard DeVon Cooper led the Patriots with 15 points in Saturday's game. He made five 3-pointers for the second time this season and added four rebounds and three steals in 36 minutes. 
 
Senior Josh Oduro added 13 points (6-11 FG), seven rebounds, a game-high four assists and two blocks, while graduate Ginika Ojiako tallied season bests in points (10) and rebounds (7). He made a perfect 4-of-4 shots from the floor.  
 
Mason grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and had a +9 (40-31) edge on the glass. But Belmont shot 52 percent in the second half and made the plays necessary to claim victory. 
 
The Patriots scored the first eight points of the game and led 15-8 at the 14:15 mark of the first half. The Bruins moved within one at 15-14, but the Patriots rattled off five straight to go back up six (20-14). Mason led 26-22 with 7:38 to go in the stanza, but at that point, the Patriots went cold and could not find the bucket for the remainder of the half. The Bruins closed the period on an 8-0 run and took a 30-26 lead into the break. 
 
Belmont moved ahead by five at 38-33, but at that point, the Patriots blitzed back with a 14-2 run, capped by a beautiful Oduro spinning jumper, to push ahead 47-40 at the 11:12 mark of the second stanza.  
 
Mason extended the lead to eight at 52-44, but at that point, the Patriot offense went cold again and Belmont responded.

The Bruins used an 11-0 run to go up 55-52 with 4:30 left.  
 
The Patriots retook the lead at 57-55 on Cooper's fifth 3-pointer with 3:55 left, but Belmont answered with a 7-2 spurt to take a 64-59 lead with 48 seconds left.  
 
A steal and subsequent 3-pointer from Victor Bailey Jr. cut the lead to two (64-62) with 33 seconds left. Then, the Patriots drew a charge on the ensuing inbounds pass to have a chance to tie or take the lead. But a Cooper driving lay-up rimmed out and Belmont was able to sink its free throws late to hang on. 
 
Mason now wraps up the Paradise Jam on Monday afternoon with a 1 p.m. (ET) contest vs. Buffalo. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.