Dec. 4, 2002

FAIRFAX, VA...Five George Mason players scored in double figures as the Patriots rolled past visiting Howard, 89-52, in a non-conference women's basketball game Wednesday at the Patriot Center.

George Mason improved to 2-1 with the victory, while Howard dropped to 0-5.

Sophomore Laura Kooij, in her first extended playing time of the season as she returns from knee surgery last season, led George Mason with 14 points. Senior Khalilah Smith and junior Jen Derevjanik each added 12 points, and senior Courtney Hall scored a career-high 10 points and junior Susan Otim added 10 and a game-high nine rebounds. Junior Lynnette Clark finished with a game-high six assists.

"After our last game [at Georgetown, a 76-73 overtime loss], where it seemed like we had just two players contributing, it was good to get contributions from everyone," said head coach Debbie Taneyhill. "It was good to come back and respond the way we did tonight."

Junior Laura Askew had a team-high 12 points to lead Howard, while seniors Asia Petty and Courtney Kirk each added 10 points.

The teams played close for the first eight minutes until George Mason exploded for a 32-8 run over the final 12 minutes to take a 46-21 lead at intermission. Kooij had nine points and Otim added eight points and six rebounds to spark the Patriots. The margin remained 25 points until Mason went on a 22-9 spurt to take its biggest lead at 85-47 with 4:07 remaining to play.

George Mason returns to action Saturday at Chattanooga at 7 p.m.