Samford’s basketball season ended with an 86-69 loss at George Mason on Wednesday night, in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament in Fairfax, Va.

The Bulldogs (22-11) shot just 33% from the floor and committed 12 first-half turnovers to fall into a 45-24 hole at the break. Samford got within 13 in the second half, but came no closer vs. the home-standing Patriots (27-8).

George Mason had four players in double-figures scoring, led by K.D. Johnson with 20 off the bench. Zach Anderson posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Darius Maddox added 17 points — including five of the Patriots’ 10 3-pointers — and Jalen Haynes had 14.

Forward Jaden Brownell scored a career-high 27 points for Samford, 24 in the second half on the strength of six 3-pointers. Lukas Walls added 10 points off the bench for the Bulldogs, while second-team All-SoCon pick Rylan Jones dished out eight assists but was held scoreless for the first time all season.

A year after finishing 29-6, winning the SoCon tournament title and reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2000, Samford posted the second-most victories in school history this season. Coach Bucky McMillan remains stuck on 99 career wins in his five seasons coaching the Bulldogs.

George Mason hosts Bradley in a second-round game on Saturday.