Score: George Mason 86, VCU 80
Location: Fairfax, Va. (EagleBank Arena)
Records: George Mason 16-1 (4-0 A-10), VCU 11-6 (2-2)
 
The short story: Junior forward Lazar Djokovic supplied a game-high 23 points for VCU, but it wasn't enough for the Rams to hold off a late push by George Mason Saturday in Fairfax, Va.
 
OPENING TIP

• Djokovic connected on 7-of-9 attempts from the floor and converted all nine of his free throw attempts. He also corralled five rebounds and handed out three assists
• Sophomore Terrence Hill Jr. added 16 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Black and Gold
• In all, five VCU players reached double figures, including junior forward Michael Belle (11), sophomore guard Brandon Jennings (11) and freshman guard Nyk Lewis (10)
• Riley Allenspach and Fatt Hill sparked the Patriots with 16 points each

THE DIFFERENCE

• George Mason shot 56 percent from the field in the game, including 60 percent (15-of-25) in the second half alone. The Patriots also knocked down 21-of-24 free throws, including 18-of-20 in the second half
• The Rams took a 56-55 lead with 9:23 left on a drive and layup by Hill. George Mason responded with an 8-0 run, capped by a layup by Jahari Long, to grab a 63-56 advantage with 7:04 remaining. The Patriots never trailed again
• George Mason owned a 44-36 scoring edge in the paint

NOTABLE

• VCU leads the overall series with George Mason 49-23. The Rams had won seven straight at EagleBank arena, prior to Saturday's loss
• The Rams owned a 31-29 rebounding advantage
• The Rams featured seven ties and eight lead changes
• VCU shot 47 percent (27-of-57) from the field in the contest

NEXT UP
VCU will head to Kingston, R.I. to face Rhode Island on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.