FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason University women's basketball team fell to the reigning Atlantic 10 champions on Friday night in Fairfax.
Mason (3-7, 0-3 A-10) suffered a 59-37 loss at EagleBank Arena after being outscored by Dayton 20-10 in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots stayed within reach for a majority of the game before the Flyers took control in the fourth quarter. Dayton shot 64.3 percent (9-14) in the final period to claim the victory and improve to 4-1 overall, and 3-0 in A-10 play.
The Patriots limited the Flyers to just three three-pointers (.231) and forced 20 turnovers with a season-high nine steals. Mason also held Dayton to its second fewest point total of the season and the Flyers' leading scorer, Erin Whalen, to seven points but it wasn't enough as the Patriots struggled offensively.
Mason shot just 21.1 percent from the floor (11-52) and made five three-pointers (.278). The Flyers were +20 on the glass (47-27) and +26 in points in the paint (34-8).
Senior
Marika Korpinen finished with a team-high 12 points, knocking down two three-pointers (.666). Sophomore
Jordan Wakefield added 10 points, three rebounds and two steals.
Graduate student
Daijah Jefferson recorded eight points, three assists, two steals and two blocks in the loss.
It was a back-and-forth battle to start the game with Dayton holding a slim 13-11 advantage at the end of the first period. Mason was ahead 9-4 with 6:07 on the clock after four quick points from Jefferson. The Flyers went on to outscore the Patriots 9-2 to end the quarter.
Korpinen evened the score 13 all with 8:26 left in the second quarter. The Flyers used a pair of scoring runs to lead by 10 with under a minute remaining (26-16). Jefferson then made a three-pointer with 20 seconds to go to cut the deficit to seven at the break (26-19). The Patriots' defense forced nine turnovers and held the Flyers to just 1-of-9 from deep (.111) in the first half.
An early second-half three-pointer from Korpinen brought Mason within four (26-22); but the Patriots did not score again until the 5:42-minute mark after a Wakefield three-pointer (31-25). Dayton ended the third quarter on a 6-0 run to lead by 12 (39-27).
The Flyers went on to outscore the Patriots 20-10 in the final quarter of play. Mason was unable to pull closer than 16 in the frame, falling to Flyers 59-37.
Sunday's home game against Saint Louis has been postponed due to the Billikens pausing team activities. Instead, Mason will look ahead to a road contest at VCU on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
