FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's basketball team relied on stout defense against the Panthers to lead Mason to its' first win over an ACC opponent since November 14, 2014.
Despite the Patriots (4-0) scoring a season-low 60 points, they leaned on their high-pressure defense to limit the Panthers (1-2) to their season low, ultimately pulling out a 60-52 win over the ACC foe.
Senior
Sonia Smith continued her double-figure scoring streak to four games, leading the Patriots with 15 points on 6-13 shooting and a career-high-matching three made three-pointers. She also contributed a season-high six rebounds to go with three assists. Smith's three scores from deep were a part of a season-best performance for Mason, as the team went 42.9% from three-point range with nine makes on 21 attempts.
The two teams traded points to open the game until a jumper from Smith at the 4:04 mark gave Mason the 10-9 lead at the media timeout. Out of the break, back-to-back three pointers from
Taylor Jameson pushed the lead to seven and the Patriots held a four-point lead after the first 10 minutes.
A three-pointer 30 seconds into the second quarter from Pitt cut the lead to one, but Mason built a 13-point lead over the next nine minutes. Four-straight three pointers from Smith and
Ta'Viyanna Habib led the way as the Patriots went on a 16-4 run. Smith's third three of the quarter pushed the advantage to 15 and Mason brought a 37-22 lead into the halftime break.
Mason scored the first four points of the third quarter to stretch the lead to 19, but Pitt bounced back, going on an 11-0 run to cut the lead to eight at the media timeout. A
Kennedy Harris three gave Mason some breathing room leading 46-33, and the hosts led by 10 with one quarter to go.
The Panthers put the pressure on in the fourth, opening the quarter on a 6-0 run to get within four. Mason never faltered however, connecting on four important shots to hold off the Pitt comeback. Jameson iced the game in the final seconds with three made free throws as Mason secured its' first win over Pitt in program history.
PATRIOT POINTS
- Ta'Viyanna Habib scored in double-digits for the third time this season, scoring 10 on 50% shooting and two-made threes
- Paula Suárez had her best game of the season, scoring a season-best seven points to go with a season-high five assists, a steal, a block and a rebound
- Four Patriots recorded at least a block as Nalani Kaysia tallied two
- Mason forced Pitt into 20 turnovers, the third time this season that the Patriots have forced their opponent into 20 or more
- The Patriot defense also limited the Panthers to a season low 17.6% from three-point range, converting just three of 17 attempts
- Just three Patriots attempts free throws on the night, going a season-best 7-9 from the charity stripe
UP NEXT
Mason will wrap up its' two-game home stand this weekend against Robert Morris. The Patriots will welcome the Colonials to Fairfax for a 3 p.m. tip on Saturday, Nov. 18.
