CHICAGO, Ill. — George Mason University (18-8, 13-2 Atlantic 10) secured a 67-55 victory over Loyola University Chicago (12-14, 8-7 Atlantic 10), powered by a stellar defensive display featuring 10 steals and a commanding 39-22 advantage on the boards.
George Mason set the tone right from the start, with
Kennedy Harris sinking a layup just seconds into the game. The Green & Gold defense was relentless, as
Louis Volker swatted a shot at 8:48 and
Jada Brown nabbed a steal at 7:38. Building momentum with a series of deft layups,
Hawa Komara and
Zahirah Walton made key contributions. However, the Ramblers fought back to knot the score at the first-quarter buzzer, leaving it all square at 16–16.
In the second quarter, George Mason hit their stride with a decisive run.
Hawa Komara's crucial layup at 1:24 and
Jada Brown's clutch 3-pointer with just 19 seconds left were highlights. The Patriots' defense forced turnovers and dominated the glass, grabbing 13 rebounds, including seven on offense. This hustle helped the Green & Gold outscore the Ramblers 11-9, heading into halftime with a 27-25 edge.
The third quarter saw George Mason extend their lead with a crucial 7–0 run, sparked by
Zahirah Walton's jumper at 7:26. Walton was a standout, piling on 22 points and 3 assists on the night. Despite Loyola Chicago's attempts to close the gap, George Mason held firm, ending the quarter up 45–39.
In the final quarter, the Patriots locked in their victory through sharp free-throw shooting and timely defensive stops.
Zahirah Walton nailed two free throws at 9:27, and
MJ Johnson sank a jumper at 7:09 to widen the gap. George Mason capitalized on Loyola's mistakes, with
Kennedy Harris and
Jada Brown each bagging crucial steals that turned into points.
Mary Amoateng extended the lead with a fast-break layup and a free throw at 0:44, sealing the win. The clock ticked down to a 67-55 triumph for the Patriots.
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The Patriots return home for Senior Day on Saturday, February 21 at 3 p.m. vs. George Washington. A broadcast will be available on ESPN+ and the Monumental Network
