FAIRFAX, Va.  – The George Mason University men's basketball team (20-3, 8-2) dropped an A-10 home game for the first time in nearly two years Wednesday, falling to Duquesne (13-10, 5-5) by the score of 71-65 inside EagleBank Arena.
 
George Mason led 60-52 with 7:12 to play, but Duquesne ended the game on a 19-5 run to escape with a victory.
 
It's George Mason's first loss at home this season (14-1) and the first A-10 home loss since a March 2, 2024 setback to the Dukes.
 
The Patriots still hold their second-place spot in the A-10 standings heading into Saturday's critical homecoming game vs. Saint Joseph's (15-8, 7-3 A-10).
 
"This is an unfortunate and disappointing loss," head coach Tony Skinn ('06) said. "So many things snowballed into that outcome. With what we're chasing, that's a tough one. But we're going to have to stay together because the second half of our league play is not going to get any easier."
 
Riley Allenspach led the Patriots with 18 points (8-12 FG) and seven rebounds, while Jahari Long added 17 points and three assists in 38 minutes. Kory Mincy chipped in 10 points (2-4 3pt FG) and three assists.
 
George Mason's 17 turnovers led to a damaging +11 edge (25-14) in points off turnovers for Duquesne. The Dukes also turned 10 offensive rebounds into a 14-6 advantage in second chance points for the game.
 
The Patriots trailed 33-27 at the half, but took the lead (46-43) at the 14:06 mark of the second half. George Mason built that 60-52 edge and led 65-61 with 2:23 to go. But GMU would not score for the remainder of the game, as the Dukes hit their free throws late to secure the victory.
 
George Mason's Homecoming Game vs. Saint Joseph's tips at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on MASN and ESPN+.