DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — George Mason University (5-3) fell to Murray State University (4-2) in a tight contest, 88-83, at the Ocean Center. Despite a 42-point effort from
Zahirah Walton, the Patriots were unable to overcome the rebounding dominance of the Racers.
The Green & Gold opened the quarter with a quick layup by
MJ Johnson, setting a competitive tone.
Zahirah Walton's fastbreak layup at 7:11 tied the game at 6-6, providing a brief shift in momentum for George Mason. Walton, who set a career-high with 42 points in this game, showcased her scoring prowess early on. Despite a strong inside presence with 10 points in the paint, the team trailed 18-14 at the end of the first quarter.
George Mason shifted the momentum in the second quarter with a decisive offensive run, highlighted by Walton's critical 3-pointer at 1:43, pushing them ahead. They capitalized on turnovers, scoring 10 points directly off the Racers' mistakes, and secured their position in the paint with 12 points.
Mary Amoateng contributed defensively with a steal and a pair of rebounds, complementing the Patriots' balanced attack. The quarter concluded with George Mason ahead 38–33.
The Patriots started the third quarter with a jumper by
Jada Brown at 7:35, briefly regaining the lead. Despite their efforts, including a jumper by
Kennedy Harris at 7:14 and two free throws by Walton at 3:06, they struggled to maintain momentum. Murray State responded effectively with a series of successful free throws and a layup, leading to a 25-point quarter. George Mason concluded the quarter with a layup by Walton at the 23-second mark but trailed 58–48 at the end of the third.
In the fourth quarter, George Mason initiated a strong push with Harris's layup at 9:46, assisted by Johnson, sparking a sustained offensive effort. Johnson, who also set a career-high with 15 points, played a crucial role in the Patriots' efforts. Despite trailing, the Green & Gold remained aggressive, with Walton contributing a series of key points, including a layup at 6:27, again facilitated by Harris.
With 1:03 left in the game, Walton hit a jump shot that put her over the 1,000 point mark, making her the 22nd Patriot in program history to do so.
In the remainder of the game, George Mason capitalized on turnovers and free throws, reducing the deficit in the final minutes with a late three-pointer by
Louis Volker at 0:20, assisted by Walton. However, despite outscoring the Racers 35-30 in the quarter, George Mason could not close the gap entirely. The game concluded with Murray State securing an 88-83 victory.
PATRIOT POINTS
UP NEXT
The Patriots take on #13 Ole Miss on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. at the Daytona Beach Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla.
