WASHINGTON, D.C. – George Mason women's basketball topped the Georgetown Hoyas in a Monday night matchup, 63-55.
A DMV matchup that was destined to come down to the wire lived up to the hype. Both teams struggled to score for long stretches, but George Mason's defense helped separate them from Georgetown.
Double-Doubles from two Patriots helped propel them over the Hoyas: junior
Zahirah Walton finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and graduate student
Nalani Kaysia tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hoyas jumped out to the first lead of the game, but the Patriots rallied, starting with back-to-back three pointers from
Kennedy Harris, to take the lead at the quarter break, 19-15.
In the second quarter, Georgetown chipped away at George Mason's lead, finishing the quarter on a 7-2 run, and tying the game at 32-32.
The third quarter was tough for both teams. The Patriots went almost eight minutes without a field goal in the quarter, but ultimately outscored the Hoyas 14-9, and led 46-41 going into the fourth quarter.
In the final ten minutes of play the Patriots were forced to dig deep. Georgetown closed the gap to as much as two, but behind 10 points from
Zahirah Walton and some clutch free throws down the stretch, the Green & Gold prevailed. When the final horn sounded, the team's best birthday present to head coach
Vanessa Blair-Lewis was a win.
PATRIOT POINTS
- The women's basketball program is 9-1 for the first time since 1992-93 and just the second time ever
- Two Patriots posted double-doubles tonight: Zahirah Walton finished with a team-high 23 points and 10 rebounds; Nalani Kaysia finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds
- Kennedy Harris had another stellar night, tallying 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists
- George Mason as a team had nine total turnovers
- The Patriots out rebounded the Hoyas 44-40, including a 17-10 on the offensive board
- This was Paula Suárez's 100th game played in the Green & Gold
UP NEXT
George Mason finally returns home after their four-game road swing to face the University of Maryland - Eastern Shore on Saturday, December 14, at 3 p.m. TV broadcast is available on ESPN+ and radio is available through the GoMason Digital Network.
