Dec. 28, 2003

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, PA--Junior guard Laura Kooij, senior forward Vernessa Neamo and senior guard Jen Derevjanik combined for 53 of George Mason's 70 points in leading the Patriots past Charlotte, 70-52, in the semifinals of the 14th annual Hawk Classic at Saint Joseph's University Sunday afternoon. Mason advances to face host SJU, a 69-53 winner over Stony Brook in the other semifinal.

The backcourt of Kooij (18 points, nine rebounds) and Derevjanik (17 points, eight rebounds) controlled play for Mason, which improved to 4-2 with the win. The Patriots shot 52 percent from the floor, as opposed to 34 percent for Charlotte. Senior forward Susan Otim added 11 points and nine rebounds for Mason.

Tiffanie Hoey and Peaches Harris each scored 12 points for Charlotte (6-5). The 49ers will face Stony Brook in the consolation game at 2 p.m., while George Mason and Saint Joseph's will follow in the championship game with tipoff at 4 p.m.