Nov. 22, 2002
WEST HARTFORD, CT...Junior Vernessa Neamo (Forestville, MD/DuVal) scored a game-high 20 points to lead three Patriots in double-figure scoring as the George Mason women's basketball team defeated the University of Hartford, 67-56, in both teams' season opener in West Hartford, CT.
After the Patriots entered the second half with 35-27 lead, Neamo scored the first seven George Mason points of the half to put the Patriots up, 42-34. The Patriots led by as many as 16 points, and never trailed during the final half.
The Patriots started slow as Hartford opened up an early 8-0 lead. George Mason finally got on the board with a Neamo basket, almost three minutes into the game, which sparked a 10-point Patriot run -- including six points from senior Khalilah Smith (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) -- for George Mason to take the 10-8 lead.
A Hartford 3-pointer set off an 11-0 Hawk run, with Hartford taking the 21-10 lead. The Patriots responded with 10 straight points of their own to come within one at 21-20 with just under seven minutes remaining in the half.
The Patriot defense kept Hartford scoreless for five minutes, and took the 35-27 lead into halftime. Despite committing two early fouls, junior Jen Derevjanik (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's) came back as the high scorer of the first half with 11 points, including shooting five-of-five free throws.
Both teams struggled with fouls throughout the game, with 49 combined fouls on the night. The Patriots got into trouble early, with three players committing two fouls apiece just five minutes into the game. Four players, including three Patriots, finished the game with four fouls.
Both teams finished with 39 rebounds each, while George Mason outshot the Hawks 38.7 percent to 28.6 percent.
Three players on each team scored in double figures. Neamo added eight rebounds and tied her career-high with two 3-pointers in addition to her game-high 20 points. Derevjanik finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and a team-high four assists, and shot six-of-seven from the line.
Smith recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 10 boards. Junior Susan Otim (Fairfax, VA/Fairfax) and freshman Jen Daniels (Brigantine, NJ/Holy Spirit) added five points apiece, while senior Courtney Hall (Reston, VA/South Lakes) posted a career-high four points.
The Patriots return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Georgetown at 8 p.m.
