HENRICO, Va. - The George Mason women's basketball team made history by advancing to the Atlantic 10 Tournament semifinals for the first time in program history after a dominant 87-57 victory over Saint Louis.
The Patriots controlled the game from start to finish, jumping out to a commanding 21-10 lead in the first quarter and never looking back. Their defense stifled Saint Louis, holding them to just 33.9% shooting from the field and 16% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, George Mason's offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting 43.4% overall and an impressive 86.5% from the free-throw line.
The second quarter saw more of the same as George Mason continued to impose its will on both ends of the floor. The Patriots extended their lead to 19 by halftime, outscoring Saint Louis 19-11 in the period. Their defense was relentless, forcing tough shots and limiting the Billikens to just 33.3% shooting in the first half. Meanwhile, George Mason's depth shined, with contributions from the bench keeping the pressure on. Kennedy Harris was a spark plug off the bench, knocking down key shots, while the team's relentless rebounding effort ensured second-chance opportunities and limited Saint Louis' offensive possessions.
Coming out of the break, Saint Louis attempted to rally, putting up their best offensive quarter with 18 points. But George Mason refused to let them gain any real momentum, answering each run with clutch shooting and strong defense. The Patriots continued to move the ball well, finding open looks and maintaining their efficiency from beyond the arc. Their ability to control the boards and dictate the pace of play kept them comfortably ahead, entering the final period with a commanding lead.
The fourth quarter was a statement period for George Mason as they completely overpowered Saint Louis, erupting for 30 points to close out the game in dominant fashion. The Patriots' depth proved to be too much, as their bench continued to pile onto the lead. Free-throw shooting was a major factor down the stretch, with George Mason converting 19 of 24 attempts in the quarter alone. As the final buzzer sounded, the Patriots sealed a resounding 87-57 victory, securing their first-ever trip to the A-10 semifinals in program history. It was a performance that left no doubt—George Mason is here to make history.
Zahirah Walton and Paula Suárez led the scoring effort with 13 points each, while Kennedy Harris provided a spark off the bench with 18 points, including three three-pointers. Page Greenburg also played a crucial role, adding 12 points in just 10 minutes of action.
With this landmark victory, George Mason moves on to the semifinals, aiming to continue their historic tournament run. They will take on either Davidson or Dayton on Saturday, March 8, at 1:30 p.m. at the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Center.
