AMHERST, Mass. – The George Mason women's basketball team could not overcome a hot-shooting Massachusetts team on Friday afternoon, falling 87-58 inside the Mullins Center.
The Minutewomen shot 48.5 percent from the floor (33-68) and made nine three-pointers (.450). They were also an efficient 12-of-14 from the free throw line (.857).
The Patriots finished 44.9 percent from the field but took 19 fewer shots than the Minutewomen (22-49). After going without a three-point field goal in the first half (0-6), Mason made eight three-pointers in the final 20 minutes (.471).
UMass owned a +14 advantage on the glass (41-27), and forced 19 Mason turnovers, resulting in 26 points for the Minutewomen. UMass' Sydney Taylor finished with a game-high 27 points and six three-pointers (.500).
Junior
Tamia Lawhorne led the Patriots, tying her season-best 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting (.583). She made a career-high five three-pointers on seven attempts (.714) to go along with four rebounds and two assists. All 19 of her points came in the second half.
Senior
Amaya Scott (15) and sophomore
Taylor Jameson (10) also finished in double figures. Scott went 6-of-12 from the field while Jameson was 4-of-6 with two three-pointers.
Mason jumped out to an early 6-2 lead with all six points coming from Scott. The Minutewomen then went on an 18-4 run to end the quarter with the lead (20-10). The Patriots turned it over six times and shot 35.7 percent from the floor (5-14 FG).
Back-to-back baskets by Scott and
Jayla Adams brought Mason within 10 with six minutes to go in the second quarter (26-16). The Minutewomen responded with nine straight points (35-16), and a 13-4 run to end the half (39-20).
The Patriots pulled within 17 with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter after a Jameson three-pointer. That would be as close as the Patriots would get, falling 87-58 on the road.
Mason returns home to host Saint Joseph's on Sunday for its Homecoming and Pink Game. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. inside EagleBank Arena.
