The George Mason boys’ basketball team fell to a record of 0-2 last night, losing to James Monroe at home by a score of 57-47. Their first basket did not come until the 4 minute 15 second mark in the first quarter. Difficulty scoring proved to be a problem throughout the game, as assistant coach Dan Wilkie cited a "lack of offensive flow." However the Mustangs did finish out the first quarter strong and were up by 5 going into the second. The game was back and forth during the second quarter and Mason managed to hold onto a 2 point lead at half time.

A quick run by the Yellow Jackets to start the third quarter put them ahead, where they would stay for the rest of the game. Although the Mustangs made some big plays to keep it close, they were unable to capitalize on their free throw opportunities, shooting just 10-19 from the charity stripe. Down by 10 with only a minute remaining, the 'Stangs seemed poised for a comeback, sparked by junior Joel Wray's three pointer and senior Justin Barrow's fast-break lay up. James Monroe held off the attack though, converting from the line when Mason was forced to foul in the final seconds. 

Senior Ben Griffin led the team in points with 10, followed by senior Darryl Marsh and junior Bubba Olson, each with 9. Olson also made all 5 of his free throw attempts and grabbed 8 rebounds. Monroe's senior star, Pierce Tracey, contributed an impressive 29 points to the Yellow Jacket victory, a game high.

In their first regular season game last Friday, the Mason cagers were defeated by another double-A school, Broad Run. Mason lost by just 5 points, 49-44, after clawing its way back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter. In that game Marsh finished with 9 points, while Griffin and sophomore Matt Williams had 8 apiece. The Mustangs do not play again until December 18, when they travel to Clarke County for their first district game.