FORDHAM, N.Y. - The Patriots women's basketball team overcame a slow start to beat the Fordham Rams, 70-43.
 
The Patriots took a second to get warm, scoring their first basket halfway in to the first quarter, but it was all Green & Gold after that. George Mason went on an 11-5 run to end the quarter up 11-9.
 
In the second quarter, the defense locked down, holding the Rams to just 6 points. On the offensive end, Jada Brown and Zahirah Walton helped build the lead to 15 going into the half.
 
In the third quarter, the Patriots had six steals, three of which came from Nekhu Mitchell on her way to a career-high five steals. The Patriots scored 21 points on 50% shooting, while holding the Rams to just 10 points.
 
Having built up enough of a lead, Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis turned to her bench to get some minutes. 12 of 13 active players saw the floor, 10 player scored. When the final buzzer sounded, George Mason had secured their 21^st win of the season.
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• Redshirt-sophomore Zahirah Walton finished with 18 points, 5-5 , 6 rebounds, and 4 steals
• Junior Jada Brown tallied 12 points on 71% shooting
• Senior Paula Suárez added 8 points and 6 assists
• Junior Nekhu Mitchell had a career-high 5 steals
• Graduate student Nalani Kaysia pulled her 500^th career rebound

 
UP NEXT
The Patriots return home to host Rhode Island in their second matchup of the season. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 with coverage available on ESPN+ and GoMason Digital.