Feb. 23, 2005

George Mason (10-14, 6-9 CAA) vs. Hofstra (12-12, 7-8)
February 24, 2005; 7 p.m.
Hempstead, N.Y. (Hofstra Arena)

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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.

Series Record Mason holds a 6-2 advantage in the overall series against Hofstra. Mason is 4-1 against the Pride when playing in Fairfax, including a 92-64 route over Hofstra last season as Mason drained a new school record of 15 made treys in a single game on Feb. 1. The last time these two teams met in Hempstead (Feb. 26, 2004), Mason edged Hofstra by a score of 57-56 as then senior forward Vernessa Neamo sank one free throw with one second remaining to seal the victory. The Pride won the last meeting between these two schools (77-64) on Jan. 6 in Fairfax.

First Time Around

George Mason University's women's basketball team fell to Hofstra University by a score of 77-64 on Jan. 6 at the Patriot Center.

Hofstra opened up the contest on a 16-5 run, which was halted by a trey from senior guard Lauren Hediger at the 14:52 mark. The Pride maintained control the rest of the half and had its biggest lead of 17 (41-24) with just under 40 seconds to go in the first half and headed into the break ahead, 41-26.

Mason responded with a 15-4 run in the first seven minutes of the second stanza and pulled within one (48-47) at the 10:51 mark after a jumper by sophomore forward Kristin Higy. Hofstra answered with a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Cigi McCollin, but freshman guard Casey Quigley netted a basket from beyond the arc seconds later to put the Pride's lead back to just one point (51-50). That was the closest the Patriots would get to Hofstra as the Pride took control of the remainder of the game and finished with a 13-point victory.

Three Patriots scored in double figures as Hediger led her teammates with 16 points, while Quigley netted a career-high 15 points and matched her personal-best time of 30 minutes against the Pride. Junior guard Jen Daniels mirrored Quigley's efforts with 15 points and also added three assists, as well as one steal.

The Patriots shot 38 percent (25-66) on the night, while Hofstra garnered a shooting percentage of 47 (28-60). Mason scored 19 bench points to Hofstra's 12, but the Pride dominated on the boards with 45 to the Patriots 30. Both teams were even in second chance points (9) and fast break points (6), while Hofstra had the advantage in points in the paint, 32-24.

Hofstra's Numbers Hofstra owns a an overall record of 12-12 and a league mark of 7-8 heading into tonight's game. The Pride are 2-3 in its last five games, which includes a 63-54 loss to Drexel in its last outing (Feb. 20). The Pride are 5-6 overall on the road and hold an even record of 4-4 in league games away from Hofstra Arena. Cigi McCollin leads Hofstra in points per game average (16.1), while Lizanne Murphy averages a team-best 10.8 caroms per game.

Last Time On the Court

George Mason University's women's basketball team fell to UNC Wilmington on Feb. 20 at the Patriot Center by a score of 51-47.

UNC Wilmington started the game on a 6-2 run, which was halted by a made 3-pointer from Mason junior guard Jen Daniels (Brigantine, N.J) at 15:13 (6-5). With the score tied at 10, Mason proceeded to score seven unanswered points for the Patriots' largest lead of the first half (17-10) with eight minutes remaining. The Seahawks took back the lead at the 4:51 mark after a lay-up by Lindsay Isom, which put the score at 19-18. UNCW went into the break with a four-point advantage (25-21).

Mason began the second half on a 10-4 run highlighted by Lauren Hediger's first 3-pointer of the game to take a 31-29 lead. UNCW would counter with five unanswered points before Julie Flanders made two free throws at 10:21 to cut UNCW's lead to 34-33. Mason would eventually pull ahead with 6:48 left (38-37) in the game on a jumper from Tracy Ann Holness. The Seahawks regained their lead down the stretch, despite a made trey by Daniels in the final minute which pulled Mason within three points.

Flanders would finish with a career-high five blocks while capturing her fifth career double-double with team highs in both points (11) and rebounds (13). Freshman guard Keyhana Wakefield came off the bench to net a team second best points and added four boards for the Patriots.

UNCW was led by Samis who registered her sixth career double-double as she led all scorers with 19 points and pulled down a game high 14 rebounds. Meg Withrow was nearly perfect from the foul line (9-10) to score a team second best nine points.

Mason shot 26 percent (16-61) on the afternoon, while UNCW connected on 16 of 46 attempts (34 percent). UNCW held on to the lead by shooting 18-24 from the charity stripe for the game, while Mason shot 47 percent (9-19).

Career Move Through 78 games in a Mason uniform, Daniels has netted 68 treys and is two 3-pointers away from moving into the top-10 in the Patriots' career record books. Toni Battle (1987-91) currently sits in 10th as she finished with 70 career baskets from long range.

Three's Company Three student-athletes have started all 24 games thus far this season for the Patriots in senior guard Lauren Hediger, senior center Julie Flanders and junior guard Jen Daniels.

Double Her Pleasure Senior center Julie Flanders registered her fifth career double-double against UNCW on Feb. 20 as she amassed team-highs in both points (11) and rebounds (13).

50 Percent or Better For just the second time this season, Mason averaged 50 percent or better on Feb. 17 in field goals (52%), 3-point field goals (50%) and free throws (63%). The first time this happened during the 2004-05 campaign was against VCU on Jan. 23.

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.

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 is playing with Germany. In addition, Vernessa Neamo (2000-04) plays for the NWBL's Birmingham Power and was selected to participate in the 2005 NWBL All-Star Game.

Mason Adds Four Head coach Debbie Taneyhill recently announced that three student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Patriots in the 2005-06 season. The signees include Tammy Myers (G/F, 5-9, Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro), Becky Rautzhan (6-3, C, Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) and Colleen Shumaker (F, 6-1, Haymarket, Va./Home School). Leteisha Wade (G, 5-8, Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro/Marshall) has joined the team this semester after transferring from Marshall University and, due to NCAA transfer rules, will sit out through the fall semester and has three years of eligibility remaining.

Home Cookin' Mason's women's hoops team started playing all of its home games at the Patriot Center since the 1994-95 season. Since then, the Patriots have posted a regular season record of 84-52 (.618) when competing at the PC.