Mason men's basketball falls to Santa Clara, 81-73 in the first game of the CBI Championship series

Jonathan Arledge turned in his second-straight 20 point scoring effort against Santa Clara (Photo by John Irwin).

George Mason men's basketball dropped the opening game of the College Basketball Invitational finals to Santa Clara, 81-73 Monday night in San Francisco, Calif.  

The Broncos' Kevin Foster led all scorers with 28 points on 7-of-15 shooting and 5-of-11 from three-point range. Evan Roquemore added 20 points and six assists. 

Mason received contributions from Jonathan Arledge (21 points and eight rebounds), Patrick Holloway (17 points) and Bryon Allen (15 points and eight assists). The three were forced to pick up the scoring load as Patriots' season scoring leader Sherrod Wright went an subpar 0-of-6 from the field, finishing with three points--his lowest output of the season. 

Game two of the series will be held at the RAC on Wednesday at 7 p.m.