FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason Patriots fell in a close conference matchup on Thursday to the Saint Joseph's Hawks. They started off slow but rallied to bring it within two before ultimately falling 61-55.
The Hawks jumped out to a hot start, scoring 24 points to the Patriots' 13 in the first quarter. Then, both teams went cold in the second quarter. Each team scored nine points and the Patriots went into the locker room down 11.
George Mason took control in the third quarter. A key block and transition three from graduate student
Ta'Viyanna Habib at the end of the third quarter started some momentum. Then, graduate student
Nalani Kaysia came out the gates in the fourth quarter hitting seven consecutive points to bring the Patriots within four.
In the last 4:55 of the game, the Hawks were held scoreless from the floor, but they were 11-12 from the free throw line. The Patriots hit some key buckets to keep it close, but ultimately couldn't convert down the line.
And though today ended with a loss, the women's basketball program drew their largest attendance in program history: 3,354.
PATRIOT POINTS
- Senior Paula Suárez tallied a season-high 18 points on 60% shooting
- Sophomore Kennedy Harris finished with 17 points, including eight crucial points in the fourth quarter
- Graduate student Nalani Kaysia finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds, one shy of a double-double
- Graduate student Ta'Viyanna Habib pulled 10 rebounds
- The Patriots won the offensive board game, pulling down 10 to Saint Joe's 5
- The Green and Gold kept the Hawks without a field goal for the last 4:55 of the game
UP NEXT
The Patriots will host St. Bonaventure on Sunday, Jan. 5. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at EagleBank Arena with broadcast available on ESPN+ and GoMason Digital.
