Nov. 29, 2004

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

Last Time on the Court George Mason University's women's basketball team was edged by Monmouth, 57-55, at Boylan Gymnasium in West Long Branch, N.J. on Nov. 27.

Mason senior center Julie Flanders hit one of two free throws to knot the game at 55-55 with 2:23 left. Monmouth would turn the ball over twice and miss one jumper in their next three possessions, but managed to hold the Patriots scoreless.

Then, after Mason sophomore Kristin Higy missed the front end of a one-and-one, the Hawks were able to feed the ball to Courtney Lumpkin in the paint, who scooped a two-handed shot into the basket with 28 seconds remaining.

The Patriots had a chance to send the game to overtime on their final possession, but freshman Keyhanna Wakefield missed a layup at the buzzer to seal the Hawk victory.

Mason's Higy and junior Jen Daniels led all scorers with 12 points, while senior Lauren Hediger chipped in 11. Higy added a game-high seven rebounds.

The Hawks would turn the ball over 13 times in the first period, compared to nine for the Patriots, and Mason led 30-20 at the break. Daniels dropped in 10 of her points in the first 20 minutes for the Patriots.

Against Miami This will mark the first meeting in women's basketball between the Patriots and the Hurricanes.

Stop, Thief! Flanders amassed a career-high in steals with four, which was also a game-best at Monmouth (Nov. 27).

First for Quigley Freshman guard Casey Quigley made her collegiate debut in West Long Branch, N.J. as the Springfield, Va. native collected two steals, two assists and one rebound in 11 minutes of play.

Helping Out Holness dished out a personal best three assists in Mason's 57-55 loss to Monmouth in N.J.

Where in the CAA? Sophomore forward Tracy Ann Holness currently sits 14th in the conference in scoring (12.5 ppg), and is tied for 10th in assists (2.5 apg). Senior center Julie Flanders is tied for sixth in rebounds (8.5 rpg), tied for eighth in steals (2.5 spg) and is tied for fourth in blocked shots (1.0 bpg).

Senior guard Lauren Hediger sits in ninth in 3-point field goal percentage among her league peers with .375 and is also tied for fith in 3-point FGs made with 1.5 per contest. Sophomore forward Kristin Higy is tied for third in offensive rebounds (4.5/gm) and shares the sixth spot in FG percentage (.500).

Movin' On Up Hediger needs three more 3-point field goals to move pass Toni Battle for ninth place in Mason's career record books. Hediger currently has netted 68 in her career with Mason, while Battle graduated with 70 treys to her name.

Seeing Double Three Patriots scored in double figures against Monmouth as Higy and junior guard Jen Daniels led all scorers with 12 points each, while Hediger chipped in 11 for Mason on Nov. 27.

CAA vs. ACC Heading into Tuesday's contest, the CAA is 1-2 against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents for the 2004-05 season. Old Dominion fell to Georgia Tech (71-64) on the road and went on to defeat Virginia Tech (87-56) in Norfolk, while UNCW dropped a 67-49 decision at NC State in the Seahawks season opener.

Where'd they Pick `em? With the return of only one starter and six letterwinners, Mason was chosen seventh in the Colonial Athletic Association's Preseason Poll, which was voted on by members of the media and the league's sports information directors.

Playing Professionally Former Mason standout Jen Derevjanik became just the second Patriot to play in the WNBA as she was on the Connecticut Sun's roster for the 2004 season, which made it to the 2004 WNBA Finals. Another senior from last year's team also extended her playing career as Osato Edobor-Osula played with Germany this past summer.

Top-40 With a non-conference schedule that includes Miami, Penn State and three-time defending National Champion UConn, Mason was ranked 36th in the WBCA/Summerville Preseason Strength of Schedule Rankings for its non-conference schedule and stands 92nd in the overall schedule category.

Home Cookin' Mason's women's basketball team started playing all of its home games at the Patriot Center during the 1994-95 season. Since that time, the Patriots have posted a regular season record of 79-47 (.627) when competing at the Patriot Center.

Playing Host For the first time in school history, George Mason will host the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament which will be held from Mar. 9-12 at the Patriot Center. For the past five years, the tournament has been held in Norfolk, Va. and the closest it has been to Fairfax is when American hosted in 1987.