Dec. 7, 2004

George Mason (1-3) at Georgetown (2-3)
McDonough Arena
Washington, D.C.
December 8, 2004; 7:30 p.m.

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Series Record The Hoyas hold a 16-7 advantage in the overall series between the Patriots and Georgetown owns a 7-1 mark when playing on its own turf. The last time these two teams met in Washington, D.C., the Hoyas walked away with a 76-73 overtime win.

Last Meeting George Mason opened up the 2003-04 campaign with a 72-63 loss against Georgetown in Fairfax on Nov. 26.

Forward Vernessa Neamo registered her 16th career double-double with a team-high 13 rebounds and a game-high 22 points, while guard Jen Derevjanik poured in a team second-best 18 points and added five assists, along with two steals for the Patriots in 38 minutes of play. Forward Laura Kooij and guard Jen Daniels each added 10 points for Mason in the loss.

Forward Rebekkah Brunson led the Hoyas with 19 points after shooting 7-of-18 from the field and added a game-high 18 boards. Forward Varda Tamoulianis and guard Mary Lisicky each scored 14 points for Georgetown, which included Lisicky shooting 80 percent from the free throw line (8-of-10).

The Patriots shot 37 percent on the night (23-of-61), while Georgetown netted 25-of-65 (38 percent). The Hoyas dominated on the boards as they grabbed 51 to Mason's 42 and both teams were even in turnovers with 16 a piece. The Patriots earned 12 fast break points, while the Hoyas had zero, but Georgetown scored 28 second chance points to Mason's four.

Last Time on the court George Mason fell to Penn State by a score of 76-48 on Dec. 2 in front of 6,509 at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pa.

The Lady Lions opened the game with a 19-5 scoring run, and started the second half with a 14-2 scoring edge. Jennifer Harris scored a career-high 19 points, while Tanisha Wright added 19 points of her own in the win. Jess Strom scored 12 points and dished out 10 assists for her second double-double of the year, but left the game in the second half after suffering a laceration above her left eye that required five stitches.

For the Patriots, Julie Flanders pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds, while Tracy Ann Holness picked up a team-best 13 points.

The Lady Lions held George Mason to just 21.5 percent shooting in the game, including 17.1 percent in the second half. Penn State pulled down a season-high 53 rebounds, as every Lady Lion recorded at least one in the contest.

Doubling Up Sophomore forward Tracy Ann Holness netted double figure points for the third time this season as she poured in a team-high 13 points on Dec. 2 at Penn State.

Rebounds Galore Senior center Julie Flanders grabbed 16 rebounds at Penn State to break her previous personal best of 14 which was set against Miami on Nov. 27.

Freshmen Firsts Two of the freshmen that came off the bench on Dec. 2 for the Patriots netted double figures against the Lady Lions. Casey Quigley shot 3-5 from beyond the arc for 11 total points, while Moni Akintunde was 9-12 from the free throw line to tie Quigley for a team second-best 11 points.

Nearly a Decade Ago Mason held Miami (Fla.) to just 35 points at the Patriot Center on Nov. 27. The last time the Patriots held their opponent to just 35 points was on Feb. 11, 1994 when Mason claimed a 66-35 victory over UNC Wilmington in Fairfax.

Movin' On Up Hediger needs two more 3-point field goals to move pass Toni Battle for ninth place in Mason's career record books. Hediger currently has netted 69 in her career with Mason, while Battle graduated with 70 treys to her name.

Eight is Great! The Patriots held Miami to just eight points in the first half on Nov. 30, which is tied for second in the NCAA Division I record books for fewest points scored by one team in a single half. Florida State set the standard as the Seminoles led Savannah State by a score of 54-3 at the break on Nov. 23, 2003. The last known team to score only eight points in the first 20 minutes was Liberty against Radford on Jan. 27, 2001 as the Highlanders were ahead 14-8 at the half.

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.

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.