KINGSTON, R.I. – The George Mason University men's basketball team (18-2, 6-1) dropped its first league game of the season Saturday, falling at Rhode Island (12-8, 3-4) by the score of 74-65.
 
The Patriots led 33-32 at the break, but Rhode Island shot 57.9 percent in the second half and took 24 second stanza free throws to secure the win. The Patriots, who entered the game ranked second in the nation in free throw rate, took 24 attempts to the Rams 29.
 
Kory Mincy led the Patriots with 19 points (4-8 3pt FG) and six rebounds, while Jahari Long chipped in 11 points, four rebounds and two assists. Freshman Emmanuel Kanga added nine points (5-6 FT) and five rebounds in 19 minutes.
 
The Green & Gold held a 23-4 edge in bench scoring for the game, but Rhode Island turned nine GMU turnovers into an 11-2 advantage in points off miscues. That ended up being the difference in the game. George Mason also struggled at the beginning of each half, with Rhode Island using runs of 17-4 and 14-4 in the first and second halves, respectively, to set the tone.
 
Rhode Island made its first six shots and jumped out to a 17-4 advantage. An outstanding defensive stretch in which the Patriots forced 11 straight URI misses helped GMU manufacture a 14-0 run and a 21-19 lead. Rhode Island went back up five at 32-27, but back-to-back Kory Mincy 3-pointers to end the half pushed George Mason ahead at the break, 33-32.
 
Rhode Island opened the second half on an 8-0 run to retake the lead at 40-33. With the Rams up seven (53-46), the Patriots used a 6-0 run to move back within one (53-52) with 8:27 to go. GMU was again within one at 60-59, but a 7-1 run by the Rams gave URI a 67-60 lead with 1:30 left and the Patriots could not get closer than six from there.
 
Next up. George Mason returns home to host Davidson for a Wednesday night clash in Fairfax. Tip-off between the Patriots and Wildcats on January 28 is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network.