Box Score WASHINGTON – The second-seeded George Mason University men's basketball team put together a herculean performance on both ends of the floor but could not get over the top in the A-10 Final, falling to No. 1 VCU 68-63 on Sunday at Capital One Arena.
 
The Patriots (26-8) trailed by nine in the second half, but powered back into position with under four minutes to play. Down three (66-63) with under 10 seconds to go, a 3-point attempt from Zach Anderson went in and out, allowing the Rams to hold on for the victory and the championship title.
 
After posting a program best 15 A-10 wins and the most overall victories (26) since 2011, the Patriots will learn of their postseason tournament positioning by the conclusion of Sunday night.
 
George Mason shot 42.9 percent from 3pt range (9-21) and held an 18-16 edge in points in the paint for the game.
 
All-Tournament Team selection Jalen Haynes led the Patriots with 17 points, eight rebounds and two assists in the game. He averaged 21.0 points over the Green & Gold's three A-10 Championship contests.
 
Fellow All-Tournament Team pick Darius Maddox added 12 points, three steals and two assists, while Brayden O'Connor notched 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
 
Anderson played exceptionally well on both ends of the floor and finished with 10 points (3-6 FG) and five rebounds.
 
The teams played to an 8-8 tie before VCU scored eight of the next 10 points to go up 16-10. The Patriots used a 6-0 spurt to tie it up at 24-24, but the Rams closed the half on a 12-4 run to take a 36-28 advantage into the break.
 
The Patriots cut it to three (39-36) early in the second half, but back-to-back 3-point plays from the Rams helped pushed the VCU lead back to nine at 45-36. VCU got it to 10 (53-43), but the Patriots stormed back with a 7-0 run to move back to within three (53-50). A Maddox 3-pointer moved GMU within one (59-58) with 2:27 remaining,
 
With the Patriots down 66-63 with under 10 seconds to play, a 3-pointer from Zach Anderson went in and out and VCU hung on for the win.  

Check back with GoMason.com later in the night for an update on the Patriots' postseason tournament.