HENRICO, Va. - The George Mason Patriots delivered a performance for the ages, claiming their first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship with a dominant 73-58 victory over Saint Joseph's at the Henrico Sports & Events Center. With the win, the Patriots secured their first NCAA Tournament berth in program history, cementing themselves as a rising power in the conference.

From the opening tip, George Mason set the tone with suffocating defense and efficient shooting. Led by a stellar 23-point performance from Paula Suárez and a commanding 19-point, 8-rebound effort from Zahirah Walton, the Patriots executed their game plan to perfection. A pivotal third quarter, in which George Mason outscored Saint Joseph's 26-12 while shooting an astonishing 90.9% from the field, broke the game wide open and left no doubt about the outcome.

The final buzzer signaled not just a championship but a new era for George Mason basketball. With their ticket punched to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, the Patriots are poised to make even more noise on the national stage. For George Mason fans, this victory is the culmination of years of dedication, resilience, and the unwavering Believing BIG that their team was destined for greatness.

Suárez, Walton, and Nalani Kaysia were named to the A-10 All-Championship Team, and Walton was named Most Outstanding Player for her 16.0 ppg, 46.2% FG, 50% 3FG, 81.5% FT, 6.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.0 spg stat line and tenacious play through out the tournament. Kaysia tallied nearly a double-double in all three games, and Suárez scored a team-high 23 points in the championship game, helping secure the victory for the Patriots.