PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The George Mason women's basketball team ran into a three-point shooting buzz saw Wednesday night inside La Roche's Kerr Fitness Center, falling to Duquesne 84-63 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Mason competed against a Duquesne team which hit a blistering 10 3-pointers on 17 attempts (.588). Overall, the Dukes shot 56.1 percent (32-57) from the field. Both numbers were season-highs for the Dukes.
The Patriots finished with a 39.1 percent (25-64) mark and only made five 3-pointers on 24 attempts (.208).
Duquesne held a +11 advantage on the glass (40-31) and was +10 in points in the paint (42-32). On the other end, Mason forced 20 Duquesne turnovers, resulting in 15 points for the Green & Gold.
After missing the last two games due to injury, freshman
Tamia Lawhorne made a commanding return to the hardwood. The six-foot forward recorded 21 points – one shy of her career-high – on 8-of-15 shooting (.533). She also notched a personal-best four three-pointers (4-8 3FG).
Junior Nicole Cardaño-Hillary chipped in 12 points, three rebounds and three assists while freshman
Jordan Wakefield scored a career-high eight points.
The Dukes jumped out to the early lead, knocking down two three-pointers and a layup (8-0). Mason later responded with a pair of three-pointers from Lawhorne and senior
Alexsis Grate with 3:46 left in the quarter (15-8). After an and-one by Lawhorne, Mason found themselves down by 10 with two minutes remaining (21-11). The Dukes finished the quarter 7-of-8 from the field, including 3-of-4 from deep, to lead 28-14. Duquesne shot 61.1 percent (11-18) from the field and made six three-pointers (.600) in the frame.
Duquesne opened the second quarter on a 10-2 run to extend its advantage (38-16). Lawhorne stepped up again for the Patriots, banging in back-to-back three-pointers (38-22). Mason's defense held the Dukes without a three-point attempt in the stanza, but trailed by 18 at the break (46-28).
The lead proved to be too much to overcome, as Mason could not move closer than 16 (75-59) for the remainder of the game.
The Patriots return home to host VCU for Girl Scout Day on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside EagleBank Arena.
