Box Score COLLEGE PARK, MD -- No. 20 Maryland suffered its first defeat of the season, losing to George Mason, 71-66, on Wednesday night at XFINITY Center. The Terps (3-1) were led by Donta Scott, who scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his first double-double this season. 

Eric Ayala (17 points) knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the final minutes to bring the Terps within one at 67-66, but George Mason held off the Terps. 

Julian Reese added 12 points.

The Patriots (4-0) made 12-of-24 3-pointers as they built on a 32-31 halftime advantage to lead the entire second half. D'Shawn Schwartz led George Mason with 24 points and seven rebounds as he made 6-of-10 3-pointers. DeVon Cooper scored 15 points, making three treys. 

Down by as many as 10 points with 13 minutes left in the second half, Maryland chipped away as the half moved along cutting the deficit to two on a Ayala 3-pointer with 1:40 left in the game. 


Breaking Down The Action

• The Terps started off hot, knocking down two three-pointers in the opening minute and opening up a 14-5 lead with 14:47 remaining in the half. The Patriots would respond with a 15-4 run of their own, taking a 20-18 lead with 9:31 remaining. George Mason would lead by as many as four in the first half, but Julian Reese's first-career 3-pointer briefly gave Maryland the lead at 27-25 (3:49 remaining). The Terps would enter the half down 32-31, despite Scott's 13-points on a perfect 5-5 shooting. 
• Maryland fell behind 48-38 with 13:03 remaining in the game, after the Patriots went on a 16-7 run to start the second half. The Terps kept fighting, coming within five (51-46) after a fastbreak layup from Xavier Green. The Patriots lead kept shrinking as Reese became too much to handle inside. Three free throws from the Freshman brought the Terps within three (59-56) with 4:34 remaining. However, George Mason would use a layup and three-pointer to balloon the lead back up to eight (64-56). Still, the Terps did not give in as an Eric Ayala hit two three-pointers to cut the Patriot lead to one at 67-66. A George Mason lay up and a missed shot from Ayala was enough for the Patriots to hold on. 

Double-Figure Update

• Donta Scott (18 points) hit double-figures for the second time this season and 25th in his career. Scott also posted his fourth-career double-double as he had 10 rebounds. 
• Eric Ayala (17 points) has scored in double-figures in all four games this season and now has 55 in his career. 
• Julian Reese (12 points) had his second career game with 10-plus points. 

Up Next

• The Terps will continue its homestand and welcome the Hofstra Pride to XFINITY Center on Friday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m. 
• The game will be broadcast on FS1 and can be heard on the Maryland Sports Radio Network.