Patriots Clip the Wings of the Lady Monarchs, GMU 85 ODU 69

      For the 3rd time this season, and the first time since 2003, the Patriots surpassed the 80 point margin in route to their victory over the Lady Monarchs of Old Dominion. George Mason grabbed the lead (9-8) after a turnaround jumper from Evelyn Lewis with 16 minutes left in the 1st half and never looked back. The home crowd was treated to a clinic on how to dominate a basketball game, hosted by guards Taleia Moton and Rahneeka Saunders. Moton and Saunders continue to prove that they may be the best two guard combo in the CAA. Saunders was relentless at the point, weaving through triple teams and slipping past the bigs down low. She finished with 17 points, 7 assists, and 8 rebounds (by the way in case anyone forgot, she is listed at 5'6).

      Taleia Moton was the Jordon to Saunder's Pippen as she had her 3rd straight 30+ point performance, the last time that was done was by Cindy Lundberg back in, oh wait, 1975!; which happened to be Mason's first women's basketball season. Moton's line ended up being 33 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Forward Janaa Pickard put it best after the game, "Taleia and Rahneeka are definitely up there with the best in the conference, no doubt in my mind." Pickard had an excellent game too, finishing with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

      George Mason was able to find their points in the paint to start. Lewis and Pickard were able to body up the Monarch's post players, Tia Lewis and Shakeva Richards, which opened up the floor for Saunders and Moton to score. Tia Lewis, who had been averaging close to 17 points per game, struggled from the floor in the first half for ODU. She was only 3 for 7 with 6 points and 4 boards. The majority of the points for the Lady Monarchs came from guard Jackie Cook, who put up 13 points in the first and finished with 17. Lewis eventually found her stroke in the 2nd half, finishing with a team high 20 points.

      The "stat to look at" for this game was the free throw production for Mason. Moton and Pickard were able to draw contact down low and cash in. The team made 29 of 36 free throws (80.5%), with Moton converting 12 of 13 and Pickard 7 of 8. The 3 point show also came to the gym today as Mason hit 4 three-pointers, with Moton, Saunders, Pickard, and Amber Easter each having one.

      Mason will head on the road to UMBC on Thursday, Tip-off set for 7 p.m.