George Mason has now lost three straight, and four of its last five, getting hit by a storm of threes from Dayton, which made 11 from long-range in a 82-67 win in Fairfax on Wednesday.
Mason (21-6, 9-5 A-10, NET: 89) started 18-1, but has gone 3-5 since its 69-64 win over George Washington on Jan. 19.
Dayton (17-9, 8-5 A-10, NET: 90) shot 55.8 percent for the game.
“I’m getting tired of saying the same thing three games in a row,” Mason coach Tony Skinn said. “Our regular care wasn’t there. I’ve said all year to our team that we’re a very unselfish group. Tonight, we were super selfish and not tough enough. This is a very good Dayton team. When they’re healthy, they’re good enough to beat anyone in the country. I’m concerned, but this is also a team [George Mason] that’s been phenomenal through a lot of stretches. I have no choice but to stay patient.”
Jahari Long led the Patriots with a team-high 17 points (4-of-6 3FG).