A late run and career-night from Kristi Mokube was not enough for George Mason women's basketball Tuesday night as the Patriots fell 84-79 at Navy in the first road game of the season.
The Patriots (3-2) led for much of the first half, going up by as much as eight, but the Midshipmen (2-3) used an 11-5 run at the end of the half to take a 36-30 lead into the break.
Mason trailed by as much as 18 in the second half and were down 14 with as little 4:46 to play before Mokube and classmates Taylor Brown and Jasmine Jackson ignited a late Patriot run to turn Navy's runaway win into a nail biter down the stretch.
After a pair of free throws from Jackson closed the gap to 11, Navy's Chloe Stapleton would sink one of the Midshipman's 11 treys to push their lead back out. Mokube answered with a layup and a defensive rebound to help fuel a 22-13 Patriot run to close the game. The Phenix City, Ala. native would end the night with a career-high 19 points, shooting 100% (9-9) from the line and just over 71 (5-7) percent from the field in addition to eight rebounds and two blocks.
“This is the type of breakout game we needed from Kristi and that's what we really need to learn to expect from her,” head coach Nyla Milleson said. “I thought she played with a lot of confidence. She's a big difference maker.”
Navy was determined to keep the double-digit lead, but Brown had a different idea as she capitalized on a steal and Navy turnover to drive to the basket for layups on three straight possessions to cut the lead to 72-65 with 2:23 remaining. Brown would end the night with a game-high 27 points along with five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
As a team, Mason would shoot 60 percent from the field over the last five minutes of play.
“I thought we really fought and showed a lot of heart,” Milleson said before adding, “but this game is a 40 minute and you have to play from the start”
The Patriots don't have to wait long for the opportunity to bounce back when they face Albiline Christian Friday followed by Missouri Valley State Saturday as part of the UMKC Plaza Light Classic in Kansas City.
“Big week for us and we have some big goals going into the weekend,” Milleson said. “We have to take the positives from the loss as well as the negatives and grow and learn. Quick turnaround from a physical standpoint, but we're excited about the opportunity that lies ahead of us.”
