Winning streak comes to an end with gut-check loss at VCU

The Patriots 11-game winning streak came to an end with 70-54 loss to the Rams

George Mason’s big winning streak came to an end at the Siegel Center in Richmond yesterday at the hands of a 70-54 loss to VCU. No worse way for the streak to end but that’s where we are, now being knocked out of first place in the A-10. The Patriots were plagued once again by live ball turnovers and poor outside shooting. They led by one at the half, having success limiting the Rams three-point shooting and working Jalen Haynes in the paint. However they weren’t able to overcome foul trouble and giving VCU easy baskets at the other end off sloppy ball handling. The Rams got a ton of open looks from the outside and took advantage.

Brayden O’Connor was limited due to early foul trouble and Mason struggled to handle the ball with his absence. VCU is not the team you want to face without your primary ball-handler on the floor. The Rams got 20 points off Mason’s 14 turnovers, a lot of them in the second half. Mason then had trouble hitting any kind of outside shots, managing only 5-for-19 on three pointers. That’s just not going to do it on the road at VCU.

The Patriots at-large bid hopes took a massive hit with this loss. They were slim to being with in my opinion but now all focus is on the A-10 tournament in DC. They’ve locked up a bye and will be either 1 or 2 seed depending on what happens in these last four games. They are still in a great spot to get to the Sunday championship game but they gotta play their brand. Perhaps this ass-kicking from VCU is what they need to come back to reality and re-group before the final stretch of the season. Let’s not forget this program in general is not used to being in this position since joining the A-10. A regular reason title is still in their grasp and this squad is very resilient with their veteran players.