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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – It was not the type storybook home finale La Salle would have liked, as it came up just short against George Mason, 59-57, on Senior Night Thursday evening at Tom Gola Arena. 
 
"You can't lose focus at the end of the game," head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "I love these guys and they play so hard, but we need to have fewer lapses."
 
With the Explorers trailing by one point, the Blue and Gold held for a final possession, looking to snatch away another victory in the waning moments. La Salle put the ball in the hands of its clutch performer Tyreek Duren, a position he has been in throughout his illustrious career, including in their most recent contest at Fordham last Saturday evening. Unfortunately, this time, the ball did not swish through the nylon, as it did on Saturday, with the contested three-pointer rattling off the rim as time expired.
 
"I know we can beat any team in the conference," Duren said postgame. "We just keep coming up just short in one-play games, we turn those around and we can make some noise in the tournament."
 
Tyrone Garland paced the Explorers with 16 points (5-of-14 FG; 2-of-4 3PT; 4-of-4 FT), while adding six rebounds.
 
It was an emotional conclusion to the regular season home slate for the Explorers, as the team honored their senior quartet of guards. Taylor Dunn, Garland, Sam Mills, and Duren were presented jerseys during pre-game ceremonies, as clips highlighting their impressive career accomplishments played over the arena video boards, prompting a standing ovation from the spirited Tom Gola Arena crowd.
 
"It was very emotional," Mills said. "Being out there and knowing that it was going to be the last game we'll ever play on this floor, it was very emotional."
 
This senior class has been one the most successful at La Salle in recent history. The Explorers have racked up 74 wins and have earned NIT and NCAA Sweet 16 appearances during the sparkling careers. However, win number 75 would have to wait on this night, as the Blue and Gold could not get the offense rolling against the scrappy Patriots.
 
The Explorers jumped out on George Mason in the early going, sporting a four guard alignment, as all four seniors got the starting nod by head coach Dr. John Giannini.
 
The seniors came to play. They combined to account for 75% of the teams scoring, pouring in 43 of the teams 57 points.
 
Dunn broke the ice for the Explorers, stroking a long two-pointer to open the scoring.  Garland added a triple, before Sam Mills drove to the hole to sink a smooth layup. Another jumper from Garland stretched the lead to 9-0, heading into the first media timeout.
 
George Mason found their legs out of the break. An 8-3 run out of the timeout, fueled by the inside play of Jalen Jenkins and Marko Gujanicic pulled the Patriots back in it at 12-8.
 
Duren was the last of the seniors to get on the scoreboard; however, he did so emphatically, capping a 6-2 run by the Explorers on an athletic layup plus the foul, reestablishing the comfortable lead at 18-10. Duren would finish with 13 points, passing Ken Durrett ('71) for 16^th place on La Salle's all-time scoring list.
 
However, as was the case the entire night, the Patriots met a punch by the Explorers with a counter punch over their own. Mason finished the half on a 17-11 run to close the deficit to two at 29-27 heading into the intermission.
 
The Patriots used the momentum to jump out of the gates in the second stanza. A 6-0 run, sparked by a four-point flurry from Erik Copes gave George Mason its first lead of the game at 33-29, prompting a timeout.
 
Over the ensuing stretch, Sam Mills became the 54^th member of the 1,000-point club at La Salle, sinking a free-throw with 15:16 to go in the half. Mills impact was felt all over the stat sheet in this one, as he collected 12 points and five rebounds, while adding four steals and three assists.
 
"It means a lot to me," Mills remarked on the accomplishment post-game. "Four years working hard with my teammates. I'm just glad I could get it and getting it on Senior Night is even better."
 
The Patriots pieced together a subsequent 6-0 run to grab control of the game at 50-44, as the game moved down the final stretch. Mason would hold the lead for the next three-minutes, as the Explorers attempted to comeback.
 
The Blue and Gold made a push with just over five minutes to play. Sam Mills stroked a three-pointer and Garland fed Jerrell Wright for a thunderous alley-oop dunk on consecutive possessions. Suddenly, Gola Arena was rocking, as the Explorers looked to pull away.
 
However, on this night, George Mason (11-18; 4-11 A-10) would not be denied. A 7-4 run in the final five minutes sealed the upset victory over the Explorers.
 
The Explorers (14-15; 6-9 A-10) will conclude their regular season with a matchup at Big 5 rival Staint Joseph's on Sunday afternoon. Opening tip is scheduled for  4:00pm and the game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.