George Mason (23-3, 13-2 A-10) at Davidson (15-11, 10-4 A-10)
WHEN: Thursday, February 20, at 8 p.m. ET
WHERE: John M. Belk Arena; Davidson, N.C.
LIVE VIDEO: Peacock
LIVE STATS: LINK
LIVE AUDIO: GoMason Digital Network

DAVIDSON, N.C. – The George Mason Patriots are set to face the Davidson Wildcats on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at John M. Belk Arena in Davidson, N.C. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on Peacock.

George Mason is 7-7 historically with Davidson. Both teams have been more successful on their home courts, with the Patriots being 6-2 at home, and the Wildcats claiming 5 of 6 games on their home court.
 
The two teams' most recent encounter occurred on January 22, 2025, when George Mason defeated Davidson 81-73. Sophomore Kennedy Harris led the team with a career-high 299 pints on 64.2% shooting, and the Patriots as a whole shot 53% from the floor.
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• Sophomore Kennedy Harris and redshirt sophomore Zahirah Walton have led the Patriots is scoring so far this season, averaging 14.8 ppg and 14.2 ppg, respectively.
• Harris was named A-10 Player of the Week for the second time this season for the week of Jan. 20, 2025 after averaging 25.5 ppg on 55% shooting, 6.0 apg, and 1.0 spg
•  George Mason is the only D1 school where both their men's and women's basketball programs are on 11+ game win streaks. Their combined 44 wins (as of 2/18/25) is the most combined win in Division 1
• The Patriots have recoded their fasted season to 20 wins after their win against VCU.
• Head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis was named to the Mid-Major Coach of the Year Midseason Watch List by Her Hoop Stats
• The Jan. 2 game vs. Saint Joseph's set a George Mason women's basketball attendance record at 3,354.
• George Mason is currently in the "First Four Out" group per ESPN's Bracketology.
•  Zahirah Walton scored a career-high 30 points on 64.7% shooting, including 7-7 from the free throw line, and 6 assists and 5 rebounds against Saint Louis on Jan 29.
• The Patriots checked in at #45 in the first NET ranking of the 2024-25 season. They then moved to #40 after their win over GW and stayed there after their wins over Georgetown and UMES. #40 is the highest NET ranking for the women's basketball program since the NET rankings debuted in 2018. They currently stand at #43.
• Mason returns ten letter winners and three starters from last season's squad, including captains Paula Suárez and Nalani Kaysia, last year's A-10 Rookie of the Year Zahirah Walton, and preseason third team selections Ta'Viyanna Habib and Kennedy Harris.
• The Patriots welcome four newcomers, including two transfers, to the roster: Khamya McNeal (Stetson/Syracuse) and Louis Volker (Missouri State).
• The freshman class includes Sarah Oduro and LeAire Nicks.
• Mason returns three of its top five scorers from a season ago: Zahirah Walton (11.3), Ta'Viyanna Habib (10.0), and Kennedy Harris (9.4).
• Kaysia also returns after sitting out last year due to medical reasons.
• Last season, the Patriots posted their first 20+ win season since 2017-18 when the team went 24-10.
• Prior to the start of the 2024-25 season, Mason was chosen to finish third out of 15 teams in the conference, their highest preseason pick since joining the Atlantic 10.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Davidson enters this matchup with a 15-11 overall record and a 10-4 mark in A-10 play. They have been solid at home (9-3) but more inconsistent on the road (6-6). Offensively, they average 64.0 points per game while allowing 58.2 ppg, giving them a +5.8 scoring margin. Their strength lies in their three-point shooting and perimeter defense, making them a challenging team to face, particularly if their shooters get hot.
 
One of Davidson's biggest strengths is their three-point shooting, as they rank 46th nationally at 34.9% from deep and make 7.6 threes per game (3rd in the A-10). Defensively, they lock down the perimeter, holding opponents to just 25.3% from beyond the arc, which is the best in the A-10 and 7th nationally. Their +2.5 rebounding margin has helped them control possessions, and they also rank 3rd in the conference in blocked shots (3.8 per game).
 
The Wildcats rely on a balanced scoring attack, led by Charlise Dunn (11.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 31 steals, 40 made threes at 31.5%). She is their top scorer and a key presence in transition and from deep. Katie Donovan (10.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 46 assists) provides a steady backcourt presence, while Issy Morgan (9.8 PPG, 38% 3PT, 47 assists) is a dangerous perimeter shooter, hitting 41.2% from deep in A-10 play. Mallorie Haines (6.4 PPG, 44.4% 3PT, team-high 44 made threes) is another sharpshooter who can stretch the floor.
 
UP NEXT
The Patriots travel to Philly for a Sunday evening matchup on February 23rd at 4 p.m. against the Saint Joseph's Hawks. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and on the GoMason Digital Network.