Dec. 29, 2007
The George Mason men's and women's basketball teams will take the court on Sunday for a rare doubleheader as the women's team hosts Winthrop at 1:30 p.m. while the men's team hosts Liberty at 5:30 p.m. Both games will be televised on MASN and one ticket is good for both contests.
The men's team enters the game looking to finish December with a 3-2 mark in the month. The Patriots were 6-1 in November and are 8-3 on the season. The women's team, meanwhile, is looking to open the season with a 5-0 home record, something the team has never accomplished.
Winthrop comes to Fairfax with an 8-4 record, having dropped its most recent game, a 66-42 defeat at Wichita State. On Dec. 17, the Eagles defeated CAA member Georgia State, 67-57, in Rock Hill. Winthrop's ofense is led by Ashley Fann and Tiffany Rodd, who are averaging 12.5 and 12.3 points per game, respectively. Fann is also the top rebounder, grabbing nearly six boards per contest. It is the second-ever meeting between the two schools, after Mason earned a 104-40 victory over the Eagles 14 years ago.
Mason's offense continues to be powered by senior Lateisha Wade, as the guard is averaging over 16 points per game, good for fourth among CAA scorers. Classmate Moni Akintunde, the top Patriot rebounder with a 6.4 rpg average, had an offensive outburst last Saturday against Fordham, as the forward poured in 24 points to lead all scorers. That total was a season-high and one shy of her career best.
The Patriots have amassed a 15-12 record against the current membership of the Big South Conference. Last season, Mason dropped a 61-56 game at Liberty on Nov. 14. The Patriots visit the Eagles on Jan. 15 this season.
Liberty comes to Fairfax with a 6-6 mark after a win on Friday night over Campbell. The Flames trail Mason, 3-2 in the all-time series but won the past two meetings, both during the 1991-92 season. Mason won previous meetings in 1987, 1988 and 1989.
The Patriots are coming off a convincing win at Florida International in which all five Mason starters scored in double figures. It's the first time this season that all five starters have scored 10 or more points and the second time this season that at least five players score in double figures.
Mason may be without starting point guard Jordan Carter for the second straight game. Carter suffered an ankle sprain in practice prior to the Florida International contest and he sat out that game. Dre Smith took his spot in the starting lineup with Folarin Campbell starting at point. Campbell had four assists and 10 points in the win and moved into seventh place on the school's career assists list. He is three assists shy of a tie for sixth and 22 short of tying for fourth place. Campbell is averaging 12.0 points per game, Will Thomas is averaging 15.5 and 9.3 rebounds and John Vaughan is averaging 11.9 points. Mason is shooting 44 percent from the field while holding opponents to 41.3 percent shooting.
Liberty also has three players averaging in double figures. Alex McLean is scoring 16.9 points, Anthony Smith is averaging 12.8 and B.J. Jenkins is averaging 10.7. McLean also leads Liberty in rebounding with 8.1 per contest and he's shooting 55.7 percent from the field. Liberty is shooting 46.3 percent from the field while allowing the opposition to shoot 43 percent.
Following Sunday's game, the women's team will take a six-day break, its longest for the remainder of the season, then open up Colonial Athletic Association play at home against Delaware on Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. The men's team will travel to Georgia State on Jan. 2 for a 3 p.m. contest.
