FAIRFAX, Va. – Strength by numbers provided a lift as the George Mason women's basketball team returned to the court.

Five players scored in double figures to lead the Patriots in a 70-49 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at EagleBank Arena. Playing its first game since the holiday break, Mason pulled away from the Hawks in the second half as sophomore Nicole Cardaño-Hillary led the way with 15 points and four steals.

The Patriots (7-5) bounced back after a loss to Houston on Dec. 21, with nine players scoring. All 10 available players logged minutes and contributed to a strong defensive effort as UMES (3-9) shot just 30 percent from the field and committed 17 turnovers. Mason, on the other hand, had a season-low eight turnovers.

"Very good win for our team coming off the holiday break," Mason head coach Nyla Milleson said. "It is very nice to get four days off, but also those four days turn into tough practices when you come back. So, I was really glad to see the energy, the toughness, that really a focus of ours now is communication. I thought it was one of our better 40 minutes of really communicating with each other. I think it's a season low in turnovers with eight. It was really nice to get everybody in and get them quality minutes. Were just really happy to get the win and now we got to get ready in less than 48 hours (against College of Charleston on Monday)."

Junior Camarie Gatling and sophomore Marika Korpinen each scored 11 points and junior Jacy Bolton added 10 points, three assists and two blocks. Mason received 23 points off the bench, including 10 points from Sarah Kaminski. The junior guard also dished out a career-high five assists.

"Shooting is (Kaminski's) primary role but there's so many things that she can do and probably some things that she can do that she doesn't think she can do," Milleson said. "She's such a positive person. We continue to try to put people in the best situations we can possible for them to be successful, in order for us to be successful."

A close game for the better part of three quarters, the Patriots used a big spurt in the third period to pull away. UMES cut the lead to six, 35-29, before the Patriots responded with a 16-2 run. Mason shot 56 percent in the second half, shrugging off a sluggish second quarter (3-of-21).

The Patriots also had 15 assists on 24 made baskets, with 11 assists coming after halftime.

"We had a lot of energy coming out, which as (Coach) said we had a four-day break, so you never know if you're going to be flat or high energy," Cardaño-Hillary said. "I think we did a really good job coming out with high energy."

Added Kaminski: "Nikki said it best, Christmas is a time of recharging. We got to spend time at home and recharge. I think that helps, especially getting our butts kicked in practice when we came back."

Mason now faces a quick turnaround as it closes out 2018 against College of Charleston at 2 p.m. on New Year's Eve on Monday at EagleBank Arena on Daddy-Daughter Day. Fans can purchase two tickets, two drink vouchers and a Patriots lunch box for just $9.