Feb. 4, 2006

George Mason (7-12, 3-7 CAA) vs. William & Mary (10-9, 6-4)
February 5, 2005; 2 p.m.
Williamsburg, Va. (Kaplan Arena)

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Series Record Mason leads the overall series between William & Mary, 45-15. The Patriots have won the past 12 games against the Tribe and 21 out of the past 23. The Patriots own a 17-9 mark when playing on the Tribe's home turf, hold a 24-4 advantage in Fairfax and the Patriots also lead the overall series on neutral ground, 4-2. Earlier this season, Mason defeated the Tribe by a score of 70-51 on Jan. 15 in Fairfax.

About William & Mary William & Mary defeated Hofstra on Friday by a score of 69-62, which now puts the Tribe tied for fourth in the CAA standings, just one game out of third and two out of second. The Tribe has won three-straight home games and with the win over Hofstra on Friday night,W&M is now 7-2 in games played after a loss this season. Sophomore forward Kyra Kaylor leads the CAA in scoring and rebounding. She is ranked seventh in the country in rebounding and 36th in scoring. Kaylor has recorded a double double in every game but four this season, one of which was Mason and William & Mary's previous meeting this year. She is tied for fifth in the NCAA for most double doubles in a season.

Last Time on the Court

Sophomore guard Lateisha Wade came off the bench to pour in a game-high 20 points to help lead the Patriots to a 76-65 win over Northeastern in a Colonial Athletic Association match-up on Feb. 4 at the Patriot Center.

The Patriots made a season-high eight baskets from beyond the arc, which included a perfect showing from Wade (3-of-3), two a piece from junior forward Tracy Ann Holness, as well as senior guard Jen Daniels and one from guard Keyhana Wakefield. Wade also led the Patriots in rebounding with eight, while Wakefield dished out a team-high five assists on the evening.

After being down by as much as six in the first half, Mason took over at the 2:58 mark after Wade made a jumper to put the Patriots ahead, 31-30, and Mason did not let go of its lead the rest of the way. In the last three minutes of the opening stanza, the Patriots scored seven unanswered points, which was capped off by Wakefield's trifecta. Mason ended the half with a 38-30 advantage.

In the opening minutes of the second half, sophomore forward Jessica Smith scored four of her 13 total points from two field goals, which gave Mason its largest lead of the night of 13 (49-36) at the 14-minute mark. Northeastern would pull within five after senior forward Erica Sheppard made both of her attempts from the line with about two minutes remaining (64-59), but Mason held on to its lead and made 9-of-15 free throws down the stretch to give the Patriots their double digit win.

Other Patriots that scored in double figures on the night were Holness who ended with 10 and Wakefield who added 12 for Mason, which includes a 7-of-9 showing at the charity stripe.

The Huskies also had four athletes in double figures and two registered double-doubles on the night, including senior forward Quiana Copeland who netted a team-high 16 points and also grabbed a game-best 13 boards. Sheppard scored 13 and collected 11 caroms, while Ashlee Feldman came off the bench to score a team second-best 15 points. Senior guard Maralene Zwarich added 12 for the Huskies.

Leading the "Wade" Sophomore guard Lateisha Wade came off the bench to score a game-high and personal-best 20 points against Northeastern on Feb. 4. Wade did not miss from beyond the arc (3-of-3) and also shot 7-of-12 from the line in Mason's win.

In the Record Books Senior guard Jen Daniels pushed her way past Tracy Kirk (1993-97) in the record books and Daniels now stands in eighth place with a career total of 108 3-pointers.

Two In A Row For two-straight games, Mason has had at least four players score in double figures. Lateisha Wade (20), Jessica Smith (13), Keyhana Wakefield (12) and Tracy Ann Holness (10) all notched double digits for the Patriots on Feb. 4 versus the Huskies.

"Home, Home on the `Long' Range.." Mason poured in eight 3-pointers in its 11-point win over Northeastern to mark a new season-high of treys made in a single game.

70 or More After Friday's performance, Mason has now scored 70 or more points in four games this season and own a 4-0 record in those contests.

Dishin' Them Out Sophomore guard Keyhana Wakefield tallied a team-high five assists against Northeastern on Friday.

Almost Perfection Sophomore forward Jessica Smith was nearly perfect versus the Huskies as she shot 5-of-6 from the field and was 3-of-4 at the charity stripe to end with a team second-best 13 points.

Playing Host Mason has had the same starting line-up of Jen Daniels, Scarlett Williams, Tracy Ann Holness, Moni Akintunde and Jessica Smith for the past six contests. In these games, Mason has posted a 3-3 record, which includes wins over William & Mary, Hofstra and Northeastern. 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.