Fairfax, Va. – Despite a strong defensive effort, the La Salle men's basketball team fell on the road to A-10 powerhouse the George Mason Patriots, 69-62 on Wednesday night. The game was within three points with just over a minute and a half remaining, but George Mason's nationally ranked defense held strong to give the Patriots the win.


HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half:

• La Salle got out to an early 12-4 lead thanks to six points from Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi and six from Jahlil White.
• The Patriots scored the next six points to cut into the early advantage before Vahlberg Fasasi scored once again on a driving layup.
• An 8-0 run from the Explorers gave La Salle a 22-12 lead, its first lead of double-digits since December when the team faced Immaculata.
• The teams traded baskets for a stretch before George Mason began to chip into the lead via back-to-back three-pointers as the half wound down. Corey McKeithan drilled a massive shot from beyond the arc to send La Salle into the half up, 33-26.

Second Half:

• George Mason began the first half on a 10-1 run to take its first lead since it was 2-0, 36-34.
• The Patriots continued to push getting out to a 45-36 lead before Deuce Jones scored the first field goal of the half for the Explorers with 12:30 left on the board.
• La Salle's guards wouldn't let the game slip away. Jones and McKeithan made several key plays on both sides of the court to claw back within a score, 54-51 with 8:34 remaining.
• Following a Mason basket, Shepherd scored on back-to-back possessions to pull La Salle within two, 57-55 with five minutes remaining.
• Both defenses shined in the final minutes as the teams combined for 13 total points in under five minutes remaining. La Salle could not close the gap despite a valiant effort. The Explorers fell 69-62.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• White reached double-figures for the fourth time in five games and the 14^th time this season. He recorded his fourth double-double this season and second in four games.
• Vahlberg Fasasi scored 10 points. It is the second time this season he has recorded double-figures in back to back games.
• McKeithan reached double digits in the seventh straight game and the 22^nd time this season. He also stole the ball four times, tying his career-high.
• Jones reached double-figures for the 18^th time in his rookie campaign.

NEXT UP
La Salle rounds out the regular season with a battle against Big 5 rival Saint Joseph's on Saturday at 2:30. The game will be nationally broadcast on USA Network. Very limited tickets remain and are available at GoExplorers.com/tickets.