Feb. 4, 2005

George Mason (8-11, 4-6 CAA) vs. James Madison (11-8, 4-6)
February 6, 2005; 7 p.m.
Harrisonburg, Va. (JMU Convocation Center)

Series Record The Dukes hold a 35-20 advantage in the overall series between George Mason and JMU. Mason is 6-17 when playing in Harrisonburg and the Patriots are 10-15 when playing on their home court. When competing on neutral ground, the series is even at four a piece. Mason has won three-straight against the Dukes, including an 84-67 win in the quarterfinals of the 2004 CAA Championship on Mar. 11 in Norfolk, Va.

First Time Around George Mason collected its first overtime win of the 2004-05 campaign against James Madison (50-48) on Jan. 14 at the Patriot Center. Senior center Julie Flanders led the Patriots in points with 11 and also registered a double-double as she grabbed a game-high 12 boards. Junior guard Jen Daniels pulled down a personal-best 10 caroms in a personal-best 39 minutes of action. Meredith Alexis led the way for JMU with a game-high 15 points and a team-best 10 rebounds. Mary Beth Culbertson came off the bench to amass 11 points for the Dukes after shooting 50 percent on the evening.

Last Time On the Court George Mason University's women's basketball team fell to Delaware by a score of 68-40 in a Colonial Athletic Association match-up at the Patriot Center on Feb. 3.

This was Delaware's 15th-straight win and at the time the Blue Hens stood alone with the longest win steak in Division I play.

Senior center Julie Flanders led the Patriots as she matched a game-high seven boards and also tied two other teammates in points with eight. Sophomore forward Kristin Higy and freshman forward Moni Akintunde each netted eight points as Higy shot 3-5 from the field and Akintunde shot 67 percent on the night.

Delaware senior forward Tiffany Young, who is a graduate of Fairfax High School, led all scorers with 15 points, which included a 5-5 showing from the charity stripe. Guard Liz Hayes (So.) came off the bench to score 12 points and CAA Preseason Player of the Year Tiara Malcom matched Hayes' effort with 12 for the Blue Hens. Sophomore guard Tyresa Smith was also perfect from the line (7-7) and added 11 points, as well as a team-best five assists.

The Patriots shot 33 percent on the evening (17-52), while Delaware made 22 of its 52 attempts (42 percent). The Blue Hens outrebounded the Patriots, 37-29, and points in the paint were even at 22 a piece.

All About Steals Sophomore forward Kristin Higy matched her personal-best and set a new season-high in steals with four against the Blue Hens (Feb. 3).

JMU's Numbers James Madison owns an 11-8 overall record and is tied with George Mason for fifth place in the CAA with a league mark of 4-6. The Dukes are 2-3 in their last five games and JMU's last win was a 69-68 victory over Towson in Harrisonburg (Jan. 27). The Dukes own a 6-2 record when playing on their home court and have a 2-6 road record thus far this season. Tamera Young leads JMU in points with 14.6 per game, while Meredith Alexis averages a team-best 8.6 rebounds per game.

Block Party Senior center Julie Flanders swatted away a career-high three blocks in Mason's loss to Delaware on Feb. 3.

Career Move Jen Daniels moved up to 11th in Mason's record books in career 3-pointers on Jan. 30 and now has a career total of 60. Daniels passed Susan Otim (2000-04) who graduated with a total of 57.

They Meet Again Mason sophomore forward Tracy Ann Holness will compete against a familiar face on Sunday as she and JMU guard Lesley Dickinson attended the same high school (Christ the King).

It's Raining Threes! As of Feb. 1, Mason was ranked 57th nationally, out of 324 Division I schools, in 3-point field goals per game (5.8) and improved from 72nd to 64th in 3-point field goal percentage (34.2).

Eighty or More Mason's 81 points on Jan. 9 against William & Mary marked the first time since Mar. 13, 2004 in which the Patriots scored 80 or more points. On that day, Mason fell to Old Dominion by a score of 85-81 in the CAA Championship game in Norfolk, Va.

One More Senior guard Lauren Hediger is one away from tying Tracy Kirk (1993-97) in Mason's career record books in 3-point field goals made. Hediger currently sits in eighth place with 104, while Kirk graduated with 105 and is seventh.

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.

Fielding a New High The Patriots broke their season-high of field goal percentage against VCU, which surpassed the previous high that was set against UNCW on Jan. 20. Mason shot 25-50 (.500) in its 79-64 win over the Rams on Jan. 23.

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.

Mason Signs Three 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).

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.

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 83-50 (.624) when competing at the PC.