FAIRFAX, Va. — A first quarter hole proved too large to overcome as the George Mason women's basketball team fell to VCU, 67-56, on Senior Day Saturday inside EagleBank Arena.
The Patriots fell behind early, 16-5, before cutting the deficit to four in the third quarter (41-37). But, a five-minute Mason scoring drought in the fourth quarter allowed VCU to hold on for the victory, 67-56.
Junior Tamia Lawhorne led the Patriots with 17 points, two shy of her season best. She tied her career high with five three-pointers (5-10 3FG) to go along with a team-high seven rebounds.
Senior Amaya Scott added 16 points and four rebounds while senior J-Naya Ephraim scored a season-best eight points.
The Patriots made eight three-pointers, one shy of their season high (.333). Mason finished 33.3 percent from the floor overall (21-63).
VCU shot 46.0 percent from the field (23-50) and made seven three-pointers (.467).
VCU jumped out to an early 8-2 lead at the first media timeout. The Rams continued their run to own an 11-point advantage after the first quarter (16-5). The Patriots struggled offensively, shooting just 12.5 percent in the period (2-16 FG).
After VCU extended its lead to 14 with under five minutes remaining in the first half (24-10), Lawhorne and Scott hit back-to-back baskets (24-15). Lawhorne scored another five straight points (29-20), before VCU ended the half with three made free throws (32-20).
Lawhorne scored 11 points in the second quarter alone on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 shooting from deep.
Mason came out of the break firing on all cylinders, rattling off seven straight points. The run was highlight by a three-pointer by Lawhorne and four points from Scott (32-27). VCU responded and pushed its lead back to 12 with six minutes to go (39-27).
Mason went on a 7-0 run behind seven combined points from Lawhorne and Scott to cut the deficit to five (39-34). VCU came back with a 7-0 spurt of its own to lead by nine with one quarter remaining (48-39).
Ephraim scored five straight points for the Patriots to open the fourth quarter, including an and-1 play (53-44). The Patriots pulled within seven after back-to-back baskets from Taylor Jameson and Paula Suarez (55-48).
Mason then went without a field goal for five minutes, ended by Scott layup with 2:23 left (63-53). The drought allowed the Rams to hold on for the victory, 67-56.
Up next, Mason wraps up the home portion of its A-10 slate with a Wednesday contest against Saint Louis. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside EagleBank Arena.
