Jan. 29, 2009

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Freshman Becky Cox scored a career-high 14 points, 12 of which coming from behind the arc, to lead the George Mason women's basketball team in a 68-52 defeat at the hands of UNC Wilmington on Thursday evening at Patriot Center in Colonial Athletic Association competition.

Mason dropped to 2-17, 0-8 in CAA play following the loss, while the Seahawks improved to 4-4 in conference play and 10-9 overall.

Cox was one of two Patriots in double figures, as senior Brittney Wilkins contributed 13 points. UNCW was led by 19 points and 12 rebounds from Brittany Blackwell.

The Seahawks held a 41.5-to-35.4 percent field goal shooting advantage and outrebounded Mason, 38-31, in taking the victory. The Patriots blocked a season-high nine shots in the contest, but were outscored by a 30-to-14 margin in the paint. Additionally, 16 of UNCW's points came on second opportunities, compared to four points in that category for the Patriots.

UNCW jumped ahead early and never looked back, scoring the game's first two buckets and opening on a 12-3 run. Mason pulled within five at 14-9, but the Seahawks managed to expand the lead into double digits once again, where it would stay for the duration of the second half.

The Patriots had a strong start in the second half, trimming a 40-26 halftime deficit to eight as Wilkins hit a jumper with just under five minutes expired, but UNCW pushed the lead back to double digits at the 11:27 mark with a free throw by Blackwell. The margin would stay that way for the remaining minutes of the game, as the Seahawks captured their eighth straight victory in the series between the two charter members of the CAA.

Mason will return to action on Sunday with a road trip north to face Northeastern at 2 p.m. in Boston.