FAIRFAX, Va. — George Mason (15-6, 10-0 Atlantic 10) triumphed over Saint Louis (11-13, 5-6 Atlantic 10) with a final score of 66-51 at EagleBank Arena. The Patriots dominated the boards with a 42-32 rebounding edge and capitalized on turnovers, scoring 19 points off them. This victory is particularly noteworthy as it marks George Mason's first-ever undefeated start in conference play.
The Patriots set the tone early with tenacious defense, turning turnovers into a quick 6-0 lead, punctuated by
Zahirah Walton's layup at 8:32. Despite some back-and-forth action in the first quarter, George Mason held their ground with solid defensive rebounds and fast-break points. A key layup by
Kennedy Harris with just 27 seconds on the clock helped the Green & Gold finish the quarter ahead, 16-14.
George Mason continued their momentum into the second quarter, sinking three consecutive 3-pointers—two from Harris and Walton—stretching their lead to 25-14 by the 8:06 mark. Saint Louis mounted a brief counterattack, but George Mason's defense, including a pivotal block from Walton at 1:56, kept control. The Patriots maintained their edge, closing the half with a 33-27 lead.
The third quarter saw George Mason solidifying their grip on the game. Walton opened with a layup at 9:23, and her continued efforts, alongside key contributions from
MJ Johnson and
Page Greenburg, widened the gap. With four steals and a stout defensive showing, George Mason limited Saint Louis to just nine points in the quarter, finishing with a 45-36 advantage.
In the final quarter, George Mason sealed the deal with strategic plays.
Louis Volker hit a 3-pointer at 9:36, assisted by Walton, while Harris added a steal and an assist leading to Walton's fast-break layup at 8:14. Volker's hot hand continued with two more 3-pointers, keeping the lead secure.
Saint Louis attempted a late rally, but George Mason's defensive pressure, including multiple steals, stifled their efforts. The Patriots outscored Saint Louis 21-15 in the fourth, wrapping up the game with a convincing 66-51 victory.
PATRIOT POINTS
UP NEXT
The Patriots have a bye week before hitting the road to face the Richmond Spiders on Saturday, February 7 at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
