Jan. 25, 2009

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. - Sophomore Brittany Poindexter led the George Mason women's basketball team with 19 points as the Patriots were defeated by the University of Delaware, 70-53, in Colonial Athletic Association action on Sunday afternoon at the Bob Carpenter Center.

In a matchup featuring two teams who entered the day winless in conference play, Delaware (9-9, 1-6 CAA) topped Mason (2-16, 0-7) by beginning the game with a strong scoring run. Poindexter was one of three Patriots in double figures, as freshman Rachel Robinson and sophomore Eugenia Broadus chipped in 12 and 10 points each. Broadus notched her second career double-double as she led all players with 10 rebounds.

Vanessa Kabongo powered the Blue Hens with 25 points, 16 of which coming in the first half.

Delaware opened the game on an 11-0 run, holding the Patriots scoreless until the 16:08 mark when Robinson sank a layup. Mason mustered just two more baskets in the opening 10 minutes, and as the first half progressed, the Blue Hen lead expanded as large as 17 before the Patriots trimmed the margin to 36-25 with 14 seconds to go in the first half.

Kabongo hit a jumper just inside the 3-point arc as time expired to send the teams to the locker with the halftime score 38-25 in the Blue Hen's favor.

It was the Patriots who jumped out of the gate strong in the second half, scoring six of the first eight points in the period to cut the deficit to single digits, but Delaware held off Mason down the stretch, leading by as much as 21 over the span of the game.

Prior to tip-off, the teams observed a moment of silence in memory of N.C. State head coach Kay Yow, who passed away Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Additionally, the Mason coaching staff dressed in pink to honor Yow.

The Patriots return to the court on Thursday with a 7 p.m. home game against UNC Wilmington.