FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) -Chris Johnson had 14 points and Dayton held off a furious second-half rally by George Mason in a 56-55 win on Tuesday night.
The loss snapped an 18-game home winning streak for the Patriots (4-5), who last suffered a home loss on Feb. 16, 2008, to North Carolina-Wilmington.
The Flyers (6-2) won their fourth straight game.
After a 3-pointer by Andre Cornelius brought George Mason within 54-52 with 8.7 seconds remaining, Johnson hit two free throws to make it 56-52 with 7.3 seconds left.
Sherrod Wright, who led George Mason with 17 points, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.
Dayton took a 35-19 halftime advantage after holding the Patriots without a field goal for 14:31 until Mike Morrison's layup just before halftime.
George Mason then used a 13-0 run to cut the deficit to 39-34, but could get no closer than two points.
