CHICAGO, Ill. – The George Mason women's basketball team once again relied on strong defense to push its' win streak to eight games on Saturday afternoon, downing Loyola Chicago 61-52. 
 
Three Patriots scored in double-figures, led by Sonia Smith's fifth 20-point game of the season. The senior scored a game-high 21 points, including 4-7 from deep, to go with a block, two rebounds, three assists and a career-high four steals.
 
The Patriots (18-3, 9-1) held the hosts to just 13 first-half points and 0-10 from three-point range. Off the opening tip, Smith cashed in on a layup just four seconds in to the game to set the tone. The Ramblers (11-11, 5-6) responded just over a minute later, but Mason locked down and went on a 7-0 run, led by five points from Ta'Viyanna Habib, to take a 9-2 lead. Mason closed the quarter on a strong defensive stance and Habib hit a last second jumper as it took a 14-8 lead into the second.
 
Mason allowed just five second-quarter points from the Ramblers as it stretched the lead to 15 at halftime. Smith hit the Patriots' final five points of the half as the defense held Loyola Chicago to one point in the final four minutes and Mason led 28-13 at the break.
 
The Ramblers scored the opening eight points of the third quarter to cut the lead to seven, but Mason responded with second-chance points from Habib and points off a turnover from Zahirah Walton to push the lead back to double figures (32-21) at the 7:00 mark. After Loyola Chicago cut the lead to seven again, Smith and Taylor Jameson hit back-to-back three's to extend it back to 13. The teams traded points down the stretch and Mason led 42-31 with one to go.
 
Loyola Chicago scored a game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter trying to mount a comeback, but Mason stayed the course and responded with 19 of its' own. The Ramblers found momentum to open the quarter, once again cutting the lead to seven on two made free throws, but Smith cashed in on a four-point play to swing the momentum back in the Patriots' favor. Jameson hit a three with 2:25 remaining and then went 5-6 from the free throw line down the stretch to lead Mason to the victory.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Taylor Jameson filled the stat sheet, posting 14 points, including 8-10 from the free throw line, four assists, a block and a season-high seven rebounds
• Paula Suárez matched her career-high of six assists to go with six points, two steals and two rebounds
• Ta'Viyanna Habib was the third Patriots in double-figures with 11 on 5-13 shooting to go with four rebounds, two assists and two steals
• Mason forced Loyola Chicago into 26 turnovers, leading to 22 points
• The Patriots limited the Ramblers to .125 (2-16) from three-point range

 
UP NEXT
The Patriots will return to Fairfax on Thursday, Feb. 8 for their annual Pink Game, presented by Sentara. Mason will matchup with Saint Joseph's at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Network.