FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team (21-6, 9-5) could not withstand a Dayton team which hit 11 3-pointers during an 82-67 setback to the Flyers in EagleBank Arena Wednesday night.
 
The hot shooting start propelled Dayton (17-9, 8-5) to a 43-36 halftime lead, and the Patriots could not move closer than five in the second half.  
 
"I'm getting tired of saying the same thing three games in a row," head coach Tony Skinn ('06) said. "Our regular care wasn't there. I've said all year to our team that we're a very unselfish group. Tonight, we were super selfish and not tough enough. This is a very good Dayton team. When they're healthy, they're good enough to beat anyone in the country. I'm concerned, but this is also a team that's been phenomenal through a lot of stretches. I have no choice but to stay patient."
 
George Mason committed just nine turnovers against a Dayton team that entered the game ranked ninth nationally in turnovers forced per game (15.64). But the Flyers shot 55.8 percent for the game and held a +8 (34-26) advantage in points in the paint for the contest.
 
The Patriots went 7-of-14 (.500) from 3pt range but just 14-of-34 (.412) from inside the arc as the Flyers used their No. 51 ranked defense to keep the lead during the second half.
 
Jahari Long led the Patriots with a team-high 17 points (4-6 3pt) to go with two assists. It marked his seventh 10+ point effort in the last eight games. Fatt Hill added 15 points, while Riley Allenspach rounded out the double figure scorers with 13 for George Mason.
 
The Patriots remain a half game up on the Flyers for third place in the A-10 standings.
 
Next up, George Mason enjoys a bye weekend before returning to action next Wednesday (Feb. 28) at Saint Joseph's. Tip-off in Philadelphia between the Patriots and Hawks is set for 7 p.m. The game will be streamed nationally on ESPN+.