FAIRFAX, Va. – The La Salle University men's basketball team saw its four-game winning streak snapped at the hands of George Mason, 84-76, in Atlantic 10 action on Sunday afternoon.
Graduate student Pookie Powell led five Explorers in double figures with 18 points and also chipped in with six assists, while junior Saul Phiri connected on five three-pointers en route to 17 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Patriots (14-10, 8-3 A-10) came out swinging to begin the game, opening up a 13-4 lead at the 14:50 mark that forced head coach Ashley Howard to call timeout.
• With the margin at eight, a steal and layup by Powell sparked an extended 9-0 run that spanned 3:17 to put La Salle on top, 18-17.
• The two teams traded blows for the next five minutes, before two free throws from Javon Greene gave the home team a 37-31 lead with 1:27 remaining in the period.
• The Explorers (7-15, 5-5 A-10) finished the first half strong, scoring the final eight points to turn the tides and take a two-point advantage heading into the locker room.
• Phiri had 11 in the first 20 minutes, including a 3-for-4 showing from three-point range, while junior Isiah Deas added 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
• George Mason quickly regained the lead to begin the second stanza, as Greene – who had 15 points in the first half – scored on a layup, as did post player Jarred Reuter.
• The Patriots bolstered their cushion to 58-50 following a bucket by Justin Kier, before Powell and redshirt junior Traci Carter brought their team back.
• The duo accounted for La Salle's next 12 points, including a pair of three-pointers from Carter and one from Powell that gave the Explorers a 62-61 lead with 10:34 on the clock.
• GMU attempted to pull away, building a 78-71 advantage at the 3:12 mark.
• La Salle made one final push, with Phiri canning a three and Powell coming up with a steal off the press on the ensuing George Mason possession.
• After a timeout, freshman Ed Croswell hit a baby hook in the lane to pull La Salle to within two, but the Explorers missed their final four shots of the game as the Patriots sealed the win with a 4-for-4 showing at the free throw line.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• George Mason held a decisive edge at the free-throw line, going 21-for-24 from the charity stripe as compared to a 9-of-11 showing by the Explorers.
• In addition to Powell and Phiri, Deas and Carter each had 12 points and sophomore David Beatty chipped in with 11 before fouling out.
• The Patriots also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Explorers, 36-23, including 10 offensive rebounds.
• La Salle connected on 11 three-pointers, marking the fifth time in six games that the team has made 10 or more three-pointers.

UP NEXT

• The Explorers will tangle with Duquesne on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Tom Gola Arena at TruMark Financial Center.
• The game is set to begin at 7:00 p.m., with all of the action available to fans via ESPN+.