WASHINGTON, D.C. – Led by a double-double from Zahirah Walton, the George Mason women's basketball team downed rival George Washington 57-41 in D.C. for the first time since 2019.
 
Walton led the Patriots (15-3, 6-1) with career-highs in points (23) and rebounds (16) to go with two steals and a career-high two blocks and 10 free throws on 10 attempts. 
 
Both teams struggled offensively through much of the first half, shooting a combined 26% from the field. Tied 14-14 after the first, the teams combined for just five points on five free throws at the second-quarter media timeout as Mason led 17-16. Taylor Jameson provided the spark out of the timeout, scoring five-straight to push the led to six with 3:24 remaining. The teams traded baskets down the stretch and Mason led 26-21 at the break.
 
Solid defense gave the Patriots some breathing room in the third as they allowed just nine points by the Revolutionaries (8-11, 1-6). The defense held the Revs to just 21% from the field with just one three-pointer. Out of the media timeout, GW cut the lead back to five, but three Patriots combined for seven-straight points to push the lead to 10 and force a Revs' timeout. Kennedy Harris converted two points off of a turnover to end the quarter and Mason led 43-30 with one remaining.
 
Walton dominated the boards in the fourth quarter, picking up six, including three offensive, as Mason outrebounded GW 15-12 in the final stanza. Mason opened the fourth with six-straight free throws to stretch the lead to 19 as the Patriots outscored the Revolutionaries 14-11. Walton led the Patriots with 12 points, including all six attempts from the free throw line as Mason battled to the 57-41 victory.
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• Despite being outrebounded in the first half, Mason finished the game with more boards (49-45), including 21 offensive. GW also had 21 offensive rebounds, but the Patriots limited the hosts to just two second chance points
• Paula Suárez set a career-high in rebounds with seven to go with three points, two assists and a steal
• Mason won the turnover battle 10-18, including just two in the second half. The Patriots turned those TOs into 20 points
• Sonia Smith was the second Patriot in double-figures with 11. She also tallied a game-high three assists and three steals

 
UP NEXT
The Patriots will return home on Sunday, Jan. 28 for Homecoming and Alumni Day, hosting in-state rival VCU. Tip-off with the Rams is set for 3 p.m. with the game broadcasted on MASN.