Jan. 11, 2009

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason women's basketball team fell behind early and was unable to make up the deficit as the Patriots were defeated, 68-47, by Towson in Colonial Athletic Association action on Sunday afternoon at Patriot Center. Mason fell to 2-12, 0-3 in CAA play, while the Tigers (9-4, 1-2) recorded their first conference win of the year.

Sophomore Brittany Poindexter led the Patriots with 11 points, while Towson's offense was powered by 20 points from Shanae Baker-Brice. Mason struggled offensively, shooting 30 percent from the field (18-60) while the Tigers posted a 46.3 percent mark in that category (25-54) and held a narrow 41-to-38 rebounding advantage.

The teams traded baskets in the opening minute of play, but a pair of three-point plays gave the Tigers an early 8-2 lead. Towson, which connected on its first five field goal attempts, led by as many as 17, but Mason was able to cut the deficit to 10 points on a number of occasions late in the first half, including the halftime score of 37-27 in favor of the Tigers.

Mason was out-shot by a 56.0-to-33.3 percent margin from the field in the first half, but forced two more turnovers and was even with the Tigers in rebounding, including a 9-to-4 edge off the offensive glass.

Towson's lead was never in jeopardy during the second half, although Mason did limit the Tigers to 37.9 percent field goal shooting in the period.

Mason will return to action on Thursday when they travel to face Old Dominion in Norfolk at 7 p.m.