FAIRFAX, Va. – Well before tip-off on Sunday, Kristi Mokube exuded an enthusiastic and vibrant attitude that spread throughout EagleBank Arena.
Then when she stepped onto the court, she channeled her energy and played with a purpose. The redshirt senior led the way, tying a career-high with 22 points in addition to 13 rebounds to as George Mason cruised to a 55-41 victory over Saint Joseph's on Sunday.
Along with Mokube's eighth career double-double, the Patriots clamped down on defense, allowing its fewest points of the season and holding St. Joe's to just 30 percent from the field. Mason, which also won the rebounding battle 47-31, picked up its first win over the Hawks since 2003 in front of a season-high 1,464, boosted by a bevy of Girl Scout troops on hand.
The victory capped off a memorable day as Mason took part in the Play4Kay initiative, wearing pink uniforms for their Pink Game to raise awareness for breast cancer research. Mokube, who continued her special bond and was all smiles with the same survivor she met last year, and her teammates partnered up with a cancer survivor for the day. Through the Susan G. Komen Foundation, cancer survivors joined the team for shootaround, pregame meal and for pictures and then stuck around to watch the Patriots pick up a win.
“Outstanding win for our team on a very special Play4Kay day,” head coach Nyla Milleson said. “Kristi Mokube played great on both ends of the floor and set the tone for our rebounding. A big thank you to our survivor buddies who joined us and gave great inspiration to us!”
Mason (10-14, 5-6 Atlantic 10) rebounded from a slow start in which it didn't score for the more than three minutes to open the game, falling behind by seven points. But Taylor Brown, who finished with 11 points, hit back-to-back baskets and Mokube followed with a jumper as the Patriots trailed by just one heading into the second quarter.
That's when the Patriots took charge and pulled in front.
Trailing 15-12, Mason scored 15 straight points. Mokube stole the show, scoring 10 straight points and opening the game 7-for-7 from the field. The 15-0 spurt was part of 21-3 run to end the half. Mokube and Kara Wright combined for the last six points, taking a commanding 33-18 lead into halftime.
The Patriots shot 46.7 percent in the first half, while Saint Joseph's shot just 25 percent over the first 20 minutes.
The Hawks (10-12, 4-6) pulled within seven on two occasions in the fourth quarter. But after they trimmed the lead to 41-34 with 7:24 remaining, Mokube sandwiched two layups around a Jewel Triggs' basket, for an insurmountable 13-point lead.
Mason now hits the road to play Dayton at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
