BY NATALIE HEAVREN SPORTS EDITOR

Men’s basketball fell 78-64 to URI to fall to 2-6 in conference play and 13-8 overall. 

Here are three takeaways from the game: 

Free throw shooting needs to improve 

Multiple times in the second half the Patriots had the chance to close in on the Rams, but the team simply could not make their free throws. 

Mason finished the game just 10-22 from the free-throw line, the team’s second-worst shooting percentage this season.

Free throws are an easy aspect of the game to control, and something head coach Dave Paulsen says the team works on diligently. The team may struggle if they cannot start making their free throws. 

AJ Wilson can be the team’s go-to player 

AJ Wilson has officially emerged from his slump ready to be a go-to player for the Patriots. 

As of Jan. 27, Wilson is fourth in the country in blocked shots per game, but that is only one aspect of the way he plays. He led the team with 23 points and nine rebounds, while also adding two blocks and one steal. 

Wilson has somehow found a way to be everywhere on the court when his team needs him most, something that will help a team still struggling to find their identity after the loss of Justin Kier. 

Three-point shooting needs to improve 

Mason was just 2-19 from behind the arc while the Rams were 7-17. Three-point baskets were literally the difference in this game. 

Threes not only add more points to the scoreboard but can create momentum and open up scoring elsewhere. 

Without it, offenses can go stagnant, as was evident Tuesday night. While the team may struggle behind the arc again this season, they will need to find ways to compensate for it when it happens. 

Mason heads on a three-game road trip before returning home on Feb. 15 to take on GW at 4:30 p.m.