Nov. 23, 2007

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason women's basketball team has quickly developed a flair for the dramatic in the 2007-08 season, as the Patriots held on for their third-straight win on Friday evening with a 58-53 victory against Longwood at the Patriot Center. Mason (3-2) held off the Lancers (2-4) down the stretch by scoring five unanswered points within the final 63 seconds to seal the victory.

Senior Lateisha Wade, in her first start of the season, led all scorers with 17 points, while sophomore Rashauna Hobbs added 12, including four three-pointers, to pace the Patriot offense. Longwood, which was held to 6-for-25 shooting (24 percent) in the second half, was led by Keiva Small's 14 points.

Mason found itself in an early hole, when a 7-0 run gave Longwood a 9-3 lead just over five minutes into the contest. That lead would grow as large as 12 before a furious 9-0 run brought the Patriots within a point at 20-19, capped off by a Wade fast-break layup. Both teams held their ground until the Patriots tied the contest at 26 with a Moni Akintunde layup. A bucket by freshman Brittany Eley gave Mason a 28-26 lead heading into the half.

Seven straight Longwood points opened the second half of play, erasing the Mason lead before the Patriots tied the contest at 33 at the 16:46 mark. Mason would not trail again in the game, though the Lancers tied the score a number of times, ultimately at the 1:30 mark when Short connected on a pair of free throws.

From there, the Patriots took the lead for good on an Akintunde free throw, and a jumper and pair of free throws from Wade.

Mason will look to extend its winning ways next Saturday when it travels to face Richmond in non-conference action. Tip-off from the Robins Center is scheduled for 2 p.m.