Once George Washington got away, the UMass men’s basketball team couldn’t reel the Colonials back in Saturday.

The Minutemen dug a 19-point hole in the first half and fell 81-73 at the Charles E. Smith Center in Washington.

George Washington (8-8, 2-1 Atlantic 10) made 12-of-15 free throws in the first half and hit 20-of-25 in the game. UMass (10-5, 1-2) was whistled for nine personal fouls before halftime compared to six by the Colonials. The Minutemen didn’t even attempt a free throw until RJ Luis’ and-one opportunity off a fast break layup with 42.3 seconds to halftime. They hit 6-of-9 in the game.

“We didn’t play with a purpose. All we did was take contested off the dribble long twos,” UMass coach Frank Martin said. “Nobody fouls those plays.”

The teams traded the lead four times in the first eight minutes. Luis splashed a 3 to give the Minutemen a 12-11 advantage with 13 minutes, 43 seconds to halftime, then Isaac Kante extended it to 14-11 a minute later. 

George Washington ripped off an 8-0 run to take the lead for good. Luis, who finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals, hit another 3 that pulled the Minutemen within 19-17 at the 9:49 mark in the first half.

UMass didn’t get as close again. The Colonials poured in 16 of the next 18 points over the ensuing five minutes to take a 35-19 lead. They hit 4-of-5 shots and 7-of-9 free throws.

George Washington extended its advantage to 40-21 with 1:59 on the first half clock, but the Minutemen pared it down to 14 by halftime (40-26).

“We seemed flat in warm-ups, flat to start the game. Our energy died. We didn’t have any passion that first half to win,” UMass guard Noah Fernandes said. “We were out there trying to play hoping they would hand it to us instead of trying to take it. On the road in conference, nobody’s going to hand you anything.”

UMass guard T.J. Weeks Jr. cut it to nine after a goaltending violation with 17:11 left, but George Washington scored the next five points.

Fernandes snatched a steal and fed Luis for a dunk with 8:23 remaining that made it 64-56, then Luis fed Dyondre Dominguez for a jumper that cut the deficit six two minutes later. Colonials star guard James Bishop (26 points, five assists) drilled a 3 and helped GW keep UMass at arm’s length.

The Minutemen shaved the lead to five with 1:04 left after Keon Thompson hit a 3 to make it 76-71. George Washington scored five points in a row to ice the game.

“We were getting stops, but we weren’t getting every stop that we needed. When you get it to seven and eight, you’ve got to get those one or two stops you need to really put them on their heels,” Fernandes said. “If we would have really locked in, those would have been big for us.”

UMass outscored the Colonials 47-41 in the second half.

George Washington put up 17 points off 16 UMass turnovers.

Fernandes (six assists, three steals), Luis and Weeks (three 3s, two steals) led UMass with 13 points. Isaac Kante added 12 points and seven rebounds.

“We all have equal responsibilities, me in creating the structure, them in understanding the structure and then in the moment executing the structure,” Martin said.

UMass will return to the Mullins Center for its next two league games against La Salle (Wednesday) and Rhode Island (Saturday).

“It’s part of the journey. Everyone thinks you go find a group of guys, you put them together then let’s go win games. It’s fine for one day. It’s harder over the course of the season,” Martin said. “Finding consistency and gelling and learning how to play with a purpose over and over again is the journey of building a program. We’re not there.”

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