Jan. 16, 2008
FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason women's basketball team returns to action on Thursday, less than 48 hours after its last game, when it hosts CAA rival James Madison at 7 p.m. at Patriot Center. The game can be followed live via Mason All-Access.
The Dukes lead the all-time series 41-20, and have won the last five matchups dating back to the 2004-05 season. Prior to that, Mason had won three in a row against JMU, including most recently a 50-48 overtime victory at Patriot Center on Jan. 14, 2005.
JMU (9-5, 2-1), which is led by senior CAA Preseason Player of the Year, Tamera Young, come to Fairfax after dropping their first conference game, a 82-57 loss at Old Dominion. Prior to that game, JMU had won three straight. Young has paced the Dukes offense as she leads the CAA with 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Freshman Dawn Evans is also averaging double-figure scoring, chipping in 12.1 points per game this season.
Mason (7-7, 1-2) will look to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season and remain at .500-or-better when it hosts the Dukes. In their game Tuesday night in Lynchburg, the Patriots were led by freshman Brittany Eley's 15 points but a hot-shooting Liberty team downed Mason, 69-54, in the Patriots' final non-conference action this year.
Last time these two teams met, Mason dropped an 88-60 decision to 25th ranked James Madison at the JMU Convocation Center. The Patriots fell to 8-16 overall and a 2-12 in league play, while the Dukes remained unbeaten in the CAA at 14-0 and upped their overall record to 23-2. It was JMU's 15th straight victory and 25th win in a row at home. James Madison senior center Meredith Alexis broke the school career scoring record as she got her record-breaking point on a free throw with 1:52 remaining in the first half. The Patriots had two players score in double-figures, as Tracy Ann Holness finished with a team-high 18 points, while Lateisha Wade added 14.
Following Thursday night's contest, the Patriots conclude their busy week with a short road trip to face Towson on Sunday. Tip-off from Towson Center is set for 2 p.m.
