FAIRFAX, Va. - The Patriots women's basketball topped the Rhode Island Rams on a snowy Wednesday evening, 56-44.
Both teams had hard shooting days today, with both scoring nearly 20-points less than their averages. Senior
Paula Suárez and redshirt sophomore
Zahirah Walton put the Patriots on their backs scoring-wise, collectively scoring 29 of the team's points. Graduate student
Nalani Kaysia pulled a team-high 10 rebounds to help the Green & Gold secure ball possession as well.
It was a game of runs and defense. The Patriots opened the game outscoring the Rams in the first quarter, 17-8, behind eight points from Walton. But Rhode Island responded in the second quarter, holding the Patriots to 8 points while scoring 14 of their own. At the half, Rhode Island had the momentum.
But, as has been the story all season, George Mason came out of the locker room firing. Suárez scored seven points and the Patriots locked back down on defense, once again holding the Rams to eight points in the quarter.
With a lead going into the fourth, the Green & Gold just had to hold the Rams off enough to secure the win. Thanks to six more points from Suárez and five points from junior
Nekhu Mitchell, the Patriots did just that, winning their 22
nd game of the season, 56-44.
PATRIOT POINTS
- A 10-game win streak is the longest win streak in program history
- At a combined 42 wins, the George Mason basketball programs have the most wins between the women's and men's programs at the division 1 level
- This was the third game in a row that the Patriot's opponent has a Ram as their mascot, and their fourth this season. The Green & Gold won all four.
UP NEXT
The Patriots will host UMass for the final time as conference foes for their Pink Game sponsored by Sentara on Sunday, February 16. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at EagleBank Arena with broadcasts available on MASN and GoMason Digital.
