FAIRFAX, Va. – The La Salle men's basketball team couldn't overcame an early deficit on the road Wednesday night, dropping an Atlantic 10 matchup at George Mason, 75-42.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Explorers got off to a cold start on the offensive end, allowing the Patriots to jump out to a 10-point lead just 3:50 into the first half.
• After a three-pointer from senior Scott Spencer, George Mason rattled off an 8-0 run to take a commanding 20-5 lead midway through the half.
• The Patriots stretched the advantage out to 17 moments later before a dunk and a layup by junior Jared Kimbrough made it 31-17 in the final four minutes of the period. However, George Mason maintained control and went into the locker room up 39-23 at the break.
• A layup by freshman Anwar Gill brought the difference back to 14 in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Patriots quickly answered with a 10-0 run to make it 49-25 just over five minutes into the period.
• George Mason would go on to lead by as many as 33 points and ended the game on a 14-0 run.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Patriots shot 55.6 percent in the first half to gain control and limited the Explorers to a season-low 26.1 percent from the field for the game and just three three-pointers. George Mason also outrebounded La Salle 50-35.
• Sophomore Christian Ray grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and added seven points for the Explorers. Javon Greene led four Patriots in double figures with 18 points.

UP NEXT

• The Explorers will return home for their next two games, beginning with a visit from Davidson on Saturday, Jan. 16. The game is set for a 2 p.m. tipoff from Tom Gola Arena and will be streamed on ESPN+.