Dec. 30, 2009

Box Score

BOONE, N.C. - The George Mason women's basketball team was unable to capture its first road victory of the season, falling in its non-conference finale at Appalachian State, 74-54, on Wednesday evening at Holmes Center. The Patriots dropped to 7-4, ending a two-game win streak while ASU improved to 5-6.

Junior Brittany Eley and freshman Amber Easter led the Patriot offense with 15 points each, as Appalachian State out-shot the Patriots by a 46 percent to 38 percent margin and out-rebounded Mason, 40-to-28. Ashlen Dewart paced the Mountaineers with 13 points.

The Patriots fell behind early, as the Mountaineers took an 11-4 lead into the first scheduled timeout. The gap reached double-digits for the first time at 18-6 on a 3-pointer by Sharkey. ASU picked up a number of fouls early, putting Mason in the bonus with just over seven minutes elapsed. It did not translate immediately to points on the scoreboard, but the Patriots did keep it close throughout the first half. An 8-2 run spanning 2:46 by Mason cut the gap to 31-24, and it was as close as six points in the opening period, including the halftime margin of 36-30.

Eley led all scorers in the first half with 11 points including a perfect 5-for-5 shooting from the field. Both teams shot 50 percent from the field, with the Mountaineers edging Mason in rebounds, 16-to-14.

Neither team swung the momentum in their favor in the early moments of the second half, but ASU capitalized on a 16-4 run spanning nearly seven minutes to return their lead to double digits. From there, the Mountaineers comfortably held on for the win, avenging a 65-57 loss to the Patriots exactly one year ago in Fairfax.

Mason returns to action on the road this Sunday, opening Colonial Athletic Association play with a 2 p.m. matchup at Towson.