FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's basketball team saw its' win streak come to an end on Thursday night when it fell to Saint Joseph's 59-47 in EagleBank Arena.
 
Despite holding Saint Joseph's to under 60 points for just the fourth time this season, the Patriots (18-4, 9-2), struggled from three-point range and the free throw line. The offense went just 33.3% from the field and 22.2% from three.
 
The lone Patriot in double-figures was Ta'Viyanna Habib, who scored 12 points on 5-10 shooting to go with a team-high eight rebounds. The junior is averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds over the last four contests and has shot 50% or better in that span.
 
Mason scored the opening six points over the first three minutes of the contest, playing solid defense to force the Hawks (22-2, 11-1) into 0-4 shooting and two turnovers in that span. A three-pointer by Paula Suárez pushed the lead to seven with 20 seconds remaining, but a jumpshot at the buzzer by Saint Joe's cut the lead to 13-8 after the first.
 
Taylor Jameson hit a three and Zahirah Walton scored on a fast break opportunity to open the second and push the lead to 18-8. The teams traded baskets and Mason led 20-11 at the 8:20 mark, but a Patriot foul led to two made free throws by the Hawks, kick starting an 18-0 run over the next five minutes that swung the game into a nine-point lead for the visitors. Habib scored four-straight to cut the lead to five, but two more free throws gave Saint Joe's a 33-26 advantage at the half. 
 
The third was a defensive battle as the Hawks just edged Mason 9-8 to lead 42-34 heading into the final stanza. Saint Joseph's scored eight of the opening 11 points to take its' largest lead of the game, 50-37 at the media timeout. Suárez and Sonia Smith hit back-to-back shots to get within seven, but it's the closest Mason would get as the Hawks held strong on defense en route to the Atlantic 10 win.
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• The teams were tied with 38 rebounds apiece, with Tav'Viyanna Habib and Jazmyn Doster pulling down a team-high eight each
• Paula Suárez led the team with three assists to go with eight points
• The Patriots won the turnover battle 16-12, including eight total steals, led by a career-high matching three from Nekhu Mitchell

 
UP NEXT
Mason will get back on the road this weekend to take on Dayton in Ohio. Tip-off with the Flyers is set for 12 p.m.