George Mason ends Dayton’s four-game winning streak

George Mason (8-7, 1-1) ended Dayton’s four-game winning streak. The Flyers (12-7, 4-2) lost to the Patriots for the first time since 2019.

In a back-and-forth game that included 12 lead changes, Dayton took its last lead, 44-41, at the 8:41 mark with a 7-0 run capped by two Koby Brea free throws. Brea started the run with three free throws.

Dayton didn’t didn’t score again until the 1:24 mark when Kobe Elvis scored on a driving layup, cutting the George Mason lead to 48-46.

Dayton trailed 50-46 when Brea made a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left. That set up the final sequence.

Malachi Smith led Dayton with 12 points but struggled offensively, making 5 of 17 field goals. DaRon Holmes II was held to four points on 1-of-3 shooting. after scoring a career-high 20 points in the previous game against St. Bonaventure.

D’Shawn Schwartz, who made a last-second 3-pointer in overtime to beat Dayton two years ago when he was with Colorado, led George Mason with 17 points.

Dayton shot 21.7 percent (5 of 23) from 3-point range, ending a three-game run in which they topped 40 percent each game. George Mason shot 40 percent (10 of 25).

HALFTIME RECAP

George Mason outscored the Flyers 3-0 in the last two minutes of the first half to take a 25-24 halftime lead.

The half featured eight lead changes. Neither team led by more than four points.

Smith led Dayton with eight points on 3-of-9 shooting. He converted a 3-point play with 2:03 to play to give Dayton a 24-22 lead.

Dayton shot 25 percent (3 of 12) from 3-point range, while George Mason shot 41.7 percent (5 of 12).

Schwartz led the Patriots with 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting in the half.