Dogging it: Patriots Turn in Dismal Second Half in 59-54 Loss

If basketball was a one half game, Mason wouldn’t have to worry. But that isn’t the case and over a two half, 40 minute grueling time span on Thursday night Mason would be exposed. The Patriots dropped their 5th straight contest, a 58-54 battle to CAA rival Northeastern University on Solomon Court. The Patriots have changed identities over the last few games, going from a dominant ( 7-4,1-0) team in mid December, to a mediocre (7-8,1-3) since then. The Huskies snap a three game skid, improving to (3-12,1-3).

Mason stared the game with intensity, an aspect of the game Mason has been leaving on the bus lately. Northeastern was having shooting troubles early, as they failed to connect on their first 14 shots depending heavily on foul shots to keep the game close. At the 15 minute mark Mason went on a spurt, a 10-3 run capped off by a Pickard trip to the line. Both teams would use late runs to keep the score at an arm’s length.

A Taleia Moton dish to floor mate Rahneeka Saunders set up a deep three pointer that sunk with ease. George Mason had developed a 27-18 advantage with five minutes left in the first half. The Patriots continued to step on the gas, their choice of fuel, guard Taleia Moton. Mason’s stand out guard would go on a tear, reeling off the next nine straight points. She would end the first half with 13 points, finishing the game with a team high 21.

At the half the Patriots held a demanding 36-20 lead, holding the Huskies to 21 percent shooting from the floor. George Mason was controlling the game on both ends of the court. Just five minutes into the game Moton was back to work, hitting a 3-pointer to put the score at 44-28.

Northeastern took it personally; they would come back with a vengeance knocking down seven straight points to cut the score to single digits. The Huskies who had trailed since the 17 minute mark in the first, had found their offense in the form of junior guard Deanna Kerkhof.

After an Evelyn Lewis foul, Northeastern had a chance to tie the game at the line. The Huskies converted tying the score with less than two minutes to play. Approaching the 30 seconds mark the score was still tied, until a Kerkhof layup gave Northeastern their first and only lead of the game. A missed jumper by Amber Easter with seven seconds to play would seal Mason’s fate.

The Patriots who had been dominant defensively in the first half racking up three steals, five blocks and holding the Huskies to just one 3-pointer in the first half, couldn’t do the same in the second. Northeastern limited their turnovers and shot a strong 45 percent from the arc connecting on five 3-pointers. Two of those 3-pointers were credited to Deanna Kerkhof who proved to be too much for the Patriots finishing with a game high 25 points.

George Mason will look for some positives amidst this losing streak. Mason has averaged ten or more trips to the line in their last three games, a stat that shows Mason isn’t shying away from the competition. Mason will look flip the switch on Sunday when they take on CAA rival UNCW in North Carolina. Tip-off is slated for 2pm.