FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's basketball team used an 18-5 fourth quarter to erase a seven-point third quarter deficit en route to their third-straight win. The Patriots downed Coppin St. 59-51.
 
Junior Taylor Jameson led the Patriots with 20 points, her second 20-point performance over the season, with three, two rebounds and two steals. Senior Nalani Kaysia was just one rebound off of her second career double-double with nine rebounds and a career-high-matching 11 points.
 
The Patriots (6-5) and CSU both shot 5-for-12 in the first quarter, but a three-point shot and a free throw proved to be the difference as the Eagles (3-9) led 13-11 after the first.
 
Jameson exploded in the second quarter, dropping three threes and 11 points. The Patriots were able to take the lead off of a floater from the junior and led 27-26 at the halftime break.
 
The two teams traded points to open up the second half, but the Eagles slowly built a lead in the back end of the third behind four free throws, leading by seven with 54 seconds left. Mason was able to force a bad shot and grab a defensive rebound and Jameson converted on a driving layup to get some momentum and trailed 46-41 with 10 minutes remaining.
 
Mason was able to regain the lead with three straight points from Kaysia to lead by two at the media timeout. After a three-point basket by the Eagles to pull within one, the Patriots locked down on the offensive end, grabbing an impressive five offensive rebounds in the final 3:38 to stretch their possessions and take over 2:15 off the clock. Jameson and senior Sonia Smith hit six free throws down the stretch and secure the win.
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• Smith and sophomore Paula Suárez were also majoring contributors, combining for 16 points and eight rebounds. Smith posted three assists and three steals while Suárez had a career-best five rebounds.
• This was the eighth game this season that Mason has out-rebounded their opponent, grabbing two more boards than the visiting Eagles.
• Riley Childs matched her career-high of three blocks for the second time this season. She also notched six points, five rebounds and two assists.
• Despite shooting just 18.8% from deep (3-16), the Patriots shot a season-best 76.9% from the free throw line (10-13), including 6-8 in the fourth quarter.

 
UP NEXT
The Patriots will have a quick turn-around, traveling to Miami tomorrow for the FIU Holiday Hoops Showdown, beginning with a game against the host Panthers on Monday, Dec. 19 at 12 p.m.