Feb. 15, 2006

George Mason (9-13, 5-8 CAA) vs. James Madison (18-4, 10-3)
February 17, 2006; 7 p.m.
Harrisonburg, Va. (JMU Convocation Center)

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Series Record The Dukes hold a 37-20 advantage in the overall series between Mason and the Patriots are 10-16 when playing on their home court and Mason is 6-18 when playing in Harrisonburg. When competing on neutral ground, the series is even at four a piece. Earlier this season, the Patriots dropped a 68-50 decision in the first meeting of the series on Jan. 6 in Fairfax.

About James Madison James Madison heads into Friday's match-up six-game winning streak, with its last loss on Jan. 22 at Old Dominion (72-63). The Dukes own a flawless record of 10-0 at home this season and are currently second in the conference with a 10-3 league mark. JMU has had the same starting line-up for all 22 games in Tamera Young, Meredith Alexis, Lesley Dickinson, Shriley McCall and Andrea Benvenuto. The first four players listed average double figures with Young leading the way with 15.9 points per game, while Alexis averages a team-best 10.8 rpg.

Last Time on the Court

Lateisha Wade scored 21 points on 10 of 16 shooting while Tracy Ann Holness recorded 12 points and eight rebounds as the George Mason women's basketball team grabbed a road win against Northeastern, 67-58, on Feb. 12 in the midst of a blizzard.

Three Huskies scored in double figures but it could not make up for Wade's effort as Nikkia Slade joined Wade and Holness in double figures, with 11 points.

The first half was tightly contested with five ties and three lead changes. The Huskies jumped on the board early with a 7-4 run to open the game. The Patriots soon scored six unanswered points, taking a 12-10 lead on a three-pointer from Wade. The Huskies got back on top with 9:07 remaining in the first half on a three from Smallwood, part of her 3-for-5 performance from beyond the arc. Mason quickly answered as Slade hit a jumper to reclaim a one-point lead for the Patriots.

Mason stretched its lead to as many as five in the first half, but the Huskies came back to tie the game with 2:14 on the clock on a made trey from Feldman. After Slade sank two free throws for the Patriots, Burrows set up Stefanie Hodell who nailed a shot to tie the game at 34 with 52 seconds remaining. A layup at the buzzer from Wade gave the Patriots a 36-34 advantage at the break.

The Huskies tied the game again on their first possession of the second half when Feldman made a jumper. Northeastern got a 3-pointer from Burrows to take the lead. After a Wade layup, Erica Sheppard made two free throws to give the Huskies a 41-40 lead with 17:16 on the clock. Wade hit another jumper to take back the lead for Mason and the Patriots held on for the remainder of the game, stretching the lead to as many as 10 points. The Huskies pulled within four after a Burrows 3-pointer with about one minute remaining, but the Patriots scored five unanswered points to close out the contest.

The Huskies shot 19 of 56 (33.9 percent) from the floor, while the Patriots went 28 of 58 (48.3 percent). The Patriots outrebounded the Huskies, 39-32.

Walk her Way Guard Scarlett Williams is one of three walk-on freshmen at the Division I level that has started any games this season. Williams has been in the starting line-up for 11-straight games, while Kelly Scott (Penn) has started four contests thus far this season. At Cornell, where there are no scholarships awarded, there is an athlete that attended Cornell for track but `walked on' to the basketball team and has been in the starting line-up for 20 games.

Stranded in Beantown George Mason's trip to Boston was extended for a day due to Mother Nature and the blizzard that affected the East Coast.

Leading the Way Sophomore guard Lateisha Wade set a new personal standard in points with a game-high 21 against Northeastern on Feb. 12 after making a personal-best 10 field goals, from 16 attempts.

In the Record Books Senior guard Jen Daniels currently stands in eighth place in Mason's career record books with a total of 111 career 3-pointers. She is now just nine treys away from tying Lauren Hediger (2001-05) who netted 120 in her career.

Season Sweep Mason has now swept two conference schools on the season as the Patriots defeated William & Mary (Jan. 15 & Feb. 5), along with Northeastern (Feb. 3 & Feb. 12).

Only Two Misses Junior Nikkia Slade came off the bench to shoot 80 percent from the field (4-of-5) and 75 percent from the line (3-of-4) to add 11 points for the Patriots in their 67-58 victory over Northeastern on Feb. 12. This marks Slade's seventh double figure showing of the season.

70 or More After Mason's performance versus Northeastern on Feb. 3, the Patriots have now scored 70 or more points in four games this season and own a 4-0 record in those contests.

Same Five Mason has had the same starting line-up of Jen Daniels, Scarlett Williams, Tracy Ann Holness, Moni Akintunde and Jessica Smith for the past nine contests. In these games, Mason has posted a 5-4 record, which includes wins over William & Mary (twice), Hofstra and Northeastern (twice). The first time head coach Debbie Taneyhill used this starting five, was against the Tribe on Jan. 15.

Playing Host For the second-straight year, George Mason will host the Colonial Athletic Association Championship which will be held from Mar. 8-11 at the Patriot Center.

In the Professional Ranks 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 both the 2004 & 2005 seasons. Both years the Sun made it to the WNBA Finals.