FAIRFAX, Va. – The La Salle women's basketball team turned a 17-point deficit into a one-possession game late in the 4th quarter before falling to the George Mason Patriots 79-70 on Sunday afternoon in EagleBank Arena.

Taylor Brown hit a pair of free throws to give George Mason a 67-50 lead with 8:03 left in the 4th quarter before the Explorers sparked an 18-2 run to make it a two-point game with just over two minutes remaining. 

Ebony Wells sparked the charge on a free throw with 7:06 remaining and had six of her seven points during the run. Jasmine Alston, who also had six points during the run, collected a steal that led to a Micahya Owens fast break layup to make it 70-68 with 2:02 left.  

The Patriots, however, were able to get to the line on the ensuing possession to extend the lead to 72-68 with a pair of free throws. Mason was 5-for-6 from the foul line over the final 1:26 and closed the game on a 9-2 run to hold off the Explorers. 

Amy Griffin paced La Salle with a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double while Alston pulled down 10 rebounds to go with eight points and eight assists. 

Ashanti Freeland and Owens also finished in double figures for La Salle, scoring 14 and 10 points, respectively. Freeland's 14 points tied a career high while Owens reached double digits in the scoring column for the ninth time this season. 

The Explorers remain on the road as they visit the George Washington Colonials on Wednesday night in the Smith Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.