Snow storm “Pax” couldn't stop Mason's women's basketball from getting their first Atlantic 10 win Wednesday night as the Patriots rolled UMass in historic fashion with a 101-73 victory. The first time Mason women's basketball has crossed the century mark since the Patriots defeated Winthrop 104-40 in November, 1993.
“It feels great, I'm very, very excited for this group on young ladies,” head coach Nyla Milleson said. “We worked very hard through this losing streak. They never quit believing, they never quit work and I'm just really happy for them tonight.”
“Our team is really big on faith, that we just have to work hard and believe it will all come together” said fifth-year senior Janaa Pickard. “While we haven't had all the pieces every single game, we just go to practice and work hard every single day.”
Four Patriots registered double-digits on the night with three breaking 20 points. Fifth-year senior Janaa Pickard led the way putting up a career-high 25 points to go along with 11 rebounds for her 11th double-double on the season. Taylor Brown contributed 25 points as well, adding seven assists, seven rebounds and four steals to her effort. Sandra Ngoie was just behind them with 23 points on the night and Talisha Watts contributed 15 points in the win.
The Patriots got off to a fast start after Watts secured the jump ball sending it out to Brown who would hit a three. The Minutewomen would briefly take the lead early in the first half, but Mason would regain control with 16:20 remaining in the first half and hold on from there. The Patriots would register 20 points off 16 forced turnovers in the first half to take a 45-36 lead into the break.
The second half was all Mason as the Patriots registered over 52% from the field hitting over 45% from beyond the arc. On the game, the Green and Gold converted 45.8% from the field including 10-23 from three.
It was truly a team win for Mason. Senior Kyana Jacobs took just three shots on the night but dished out six assists and snagged three rebounds in 18 minutes of play. Cierra Strickland added three assists as well as a block in the first half to keep UMass from tying the game. Reana Mohamed and Brittany Jackson added key minutes, combining for nine points and four rebounds.
“We have people who have to play their roles,” Milleson said. “We obviously have people who have to score for us…but team wins aren't just about who scores, it's about doing your job and we got that tonight.”
“That's why we won,” Pickard said of the team effort. “As coach always says 'we need everyone to win.' We see that teamwork pays off.”
Up next the Patriots host Saint Joseph's Saturday at 1:00 P.M. as part of Mason's homecoming celebrations.
“This might be the one to get us over the hump, ,” Milleson said. “Confidence is a funny thing in athletics, especially as we come up to homecoming on Saturday.”
