FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's tennis team (7-7, 2-1) picked up an important league victory Wednesday afternoon with a 4-2 triumph over Saint Joseph's (8-13, 2-2).
 
With seeding for the Atlantic 10 Championship approaching, the win helps the Patriots improve their position heading into the back portion of the league schedule.
 
GMU started the day off by winning the doubles point. After dropping the match at No. 2 doubles, the Patriots evened it up courtesy of a 6-2 win by Niza Simunyola and Shari Saeed at No. 3. The No. 1 tandem of Ekansh Kumar and Monil Lotlikar clinched the point with a 7-5 victory.
 
Lotlikar dominated his singles match at No. 1 (6-0, 6-0) over Justus Agbo to give the Patriots a 2-0 lead. The Bangalore, India, product is now a perfect 3-0 in A-10 singles so far this season.
 
SJU won at No. 3 to move within one (2-1), but Saeed made it 3-1 Mason on the strength of a win at No. 6 singles. He took down Matthew Cizmarik, 6-1, 6-2.
 
SJU picked up another point at No. 5 singles, but the Patriots clinched the match at No. 4 courtesy of Niza Simunyola. He won a first set tiebreak (7-6 (7-2)), then took a 7-5 victory in the second frame to round out the win for the Patriots.
 
George Mason now heads to the campus of Fordham University for two A-10 matches this weekend. The Patriots play the Rams Friday and then battle Richmond on Saturday. Both match times are to be determined due to rain in the forecast.