WHO: Women's Basketball at Arizona
WHERE: McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz.
FINAL SCORE: Arizona 68, Mason 60
KEY PLAYERS: Taylor Brown – 19 points, 4 assists; Kristi Mokube – 14 points, 8 rebounds
| |
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
OT
|
TOTAL
|
|
George Mason (5-8)
|
16
|
14
|
7
|
16
|
7
|
60
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|
Arizona (9-3)
|
19
|
15
|
13
|
6
|
15
|
68
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Tucson, Ariz. – George Mason University's women's basketball team managed to come back from a double-digit deficit in the second half against Arizona and force an overtime, but had trouble scoring in the decisive period and ultimately fell to the Wildcats 68-60 at McKale Center.
GAME NOTES
-Redshirts seniors Taylor Brown and Kristi Mokube led Mason's offensive efforts and were the only Patriots to finish with double digits in scoring with 19 and 14 points, respectively. Brown had team-high 4 assists while Mokube grabbed team-high 7 rebounds on the defensive end and finished with 8 boards in total, second most in the game to freshman forward Chinyere Bell, who had 9.
-Starting forwards LaBrittney Jones and Destiny Graham were Arizona's leading scorers with 16 and 14 points, respectively, while Malena Washington (12 points, 4 rebounds) and Lauren Evans (10 points, team-high 6 rebounds) contributed double digits off the bench for the Wildcats' win.
-Arizona started the game on a 5-0 run but a steal by redshirt junior Tiffany Padgett provided the assist to Brown for a layup and Mason's first points of the contest. The Patriots' first 3-pointer came soon after, again through Brown, cut the Wildcat lead to two at 7-5 but Arizona went on another run to take a 13-7 run going into the media timeout in the first quarter.
-Although Arizona grabbed a nine-point lead before the end of the first quarter, the Patriots finished the opening period on a 6-0 run to cut the Wildcats' advantage to three points at 19-16.
-Brown's and Mason's second 3-pointer came three and a half minutes into the second quarter to help the Patriots get back on level terms at 23-23. Mokube's 3-point play later on sent Mason within one of Arizona at 27-26, but the Wildcats managed to retain their advantage and increased it to four going into halftime, 34-30.
-Arizona showed more energy after the intermission, which the Wildcats translated into an 8-3 run that gave them a 42-33 lead going into the media timeout. Mason responded with jumpers by redshirt junior guard Kara Wright and redshirt junior center Bridget O'Donnell to get within five at 42-37, but Arizona closed the quarter with a 5-0 run to grab its largest lead in the game going into the final period, 47-37.
-Mason enjoyed a fiery start of the fourth quarter and scored nine unanswered points to come within one at 47-46. The Patriots' defense had huge contribution to the run which held Arizona scoreless for over five minutes in the beginning in the quarter.
-Although Arizona retained its lead and forced a Mason timeout at 51-48, Mason's persistence continued and the Patriots managed to tie the game at 51 through Brown, who converted from the free throw line. Both teams had game-winning opportunities in the dying seconds, which they could not capitalize on and sent the game into overtime.
-Arizona got the first seven points of the overtime period, but another 3-point play by Mokube halfway through got the Patriots back in the game, 64-60.
-Turnovers plagued the Patriots for the remainder of the contest and allowed Arizona to close its non-conference schedule with a 67-60 win.
STAT BREAKDOWN
-Mason finished its third overtime contest this season 24-65 from the floor (36.9%). Arizona shot more poorly and converted 23 of its 68 attempts (33.8%) after shooting only 21.2% in the second half.
-The Patriots came on top in the rebounding battle, edging the Wildcats 47-45.
-Both teams committed a plethora of turnovers throughout the game – Mason three more than Arizona, 20-17 – allowing their opponent 16 points off turnovers.
-The Wildcats were dominant in steals, 14-8, and blocks, 9-4.
POST-GAME QUOTES
“It was a very disappointing outcome but our team grew in some areas today. We showed toughness and togetherness coming down the stretch and made some big plays and stops, but we continue to shoot ourselves in the foot with turnovers.” – Mason's head coach Nyla Milleson
NEXT ON THE COURT
Mason will close the current road trip with its Atlantic 10 Conference opener on Saturday when the Patriots visit Saint Louis for a 2 p.m. EST matchup.
