March 4, 2003

Box Score

FAIRFAX, VA... Juniors Jen Derevjanik and Vernessa Neamo combined for 43 points to lead George Mason to a 79-54 victory over Towson in a Colonial Athletic Association women's basketball game Tuesday night at the Patriot Center.

George Mason won its third consecutive game -- its longest win streak of the season -- to improve to 13-11 overall, 10-7 in the CAA. Towson fell to 3-23 overall, 2-15 in the CAA with the loss.

Derevjanik, who made 12 of 14 shots, scored a game-high 26 points (16 in the first half) and added six assists and five rebounds, while Neamo, who went 8 of 10 from the floor, had 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Senior Khalilah Smith added 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds, while reserve Julie Flanders grabbed six rebounds in just four minutes of action.

Freshman Tina Hopkins led Towson with 12 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore Kelli Talbot added 11 points and five rebounds.

George Mason broke the game open midway through the first half as Derevjanik scored six points in an 8-0 run that gave the Patriots a 19-9 lead with 11:01 remaining. Mason took its biggest lead of the half at 30-19 on a layup by Neamo with 3:56 left, but Talbot scored four points as Towson went on a 10-7 run to end the half trailing 37-29.

The Patriots scored the first nine points of the second half, including four by Derevjanik, to take a 46-29 lead with 16:48 to play. Mason continued to expand the margin throughout the half, and a three-pointer by sophomore Laura Kooij with 2:07 remaining gave the Patriots their largest lead at 79-48.

George Mason shot a season-best 53 percent from the field, hitting 35-of-66 shots. Mason also had 19 assists to just 13 turnovers, and the Patriots held a 38-28 advantage on the boards.

Mason concludes its regular season Thursday as it hosts Hofstra at 7 p.m.