Plummeting Patriots: Mason loses 6th Straight Game 61-53 to UNCW

In a game that featured two teams fighting for recognition, separated by just one game, it had all the makings of a well-matched playing field. But another second half falter by George Mason cut off the Patriot’s chances as they fell to UNCW 61-53 at Trask Coliseum. The Patriots (7-9,1-4) continue to slide into the conference cellar as they have now lost six straight games. The Seahawks (9-7, 2-3) however got a much needed win, to help better position themselves as we get closer to the conference championships.

The first half was a proponent of the matchup, even. Both teams would shoot an identical 35.7 percent from the floor by the end of the first half. George Mason came out of the gate fast, as they took an early 10-2 lead on an Amber Easter 3-pointer to force the first timeout of the game. A team huddle was all the Seahawks would need as they went on a spurt of their own reeling off nine straight to cut the lead to one. The Patriot’s would respond once more boosting their lead to five points on a pair of free throws.

Over four minutes elapsed without a bucket by George Mason, a gap that would allow UNCW to climb right back into the game. An Alisha Andrews layup with eight minutes on the clock gave the Seahawks their first lead of the game. Andrews would finish the game with 15 points, just one of four UNCW players in double figures.

Cierra Strickland would get things started up again for Mason, when she delivered an old fashion 3-point play to take the lead by four points with little time left on the clock. But much like they did all game UNCW provided the answer streaking for five straight to end the half leading 26-25.

The second half was marked by two tie scores and two lead changes, as play seemed to go back and forth early on. But Mason still couldn’t seem to shake their second half rust, as they let the game get out of their control. Taleia Moton turned the ball over, leading to a UNCW layup to put them on top for good. Moton, who has been Mason's saving grace for much of the season, would finish the game with five turnovers and nine points on just 29 percent shooting from the floor.

With just under three minutes to play in the second half, UNCW took their largest lead of the game by ten points on a Trice Abria 3-pointer. Abria would finish the game with 16 points, as she combined with Jessica Freeman to score over half of their 61 points. Mason who had held the Seahawks to 1-6 shooting from the arc in the first half, allowed UNCW to knockdown four 3-pointers while shooting 67 percent in the second half.

Over the next two minutes Mason’s sloppy play along with good free throw shooting by UNCW would put the lid on the contest. The Patriot’s would turn the ball over 5 times in the last two minutes. The Seahawks would close the door going 5-9 from the line.

This is the Patriots second longest losing streak under head coach Jeri Porter, George Mason lost 10 straight games back in the 09-10 season. Over this six game losing streak Mason has failed to show up in the second half, as they have been outscored by a margin of 217-170. Amongst these recent struggles bright spots seem almost non-existant. But if Mason chooses to build on anything its thier rebounding. In the game Mason outrebounded UNCW by a margin of 35-32, thanks to the work of Evelyn Lewis and Rahnekaa Saunders who combined for 17. This is the first time Mason has owned the boards in over three contests.

Mason will put their road woes behind them as they return the Patriot Center on January 19^th to take on William and Mary. This will mark the first of a much-needed three game home stand for the Patriots. Tip-off is slated for 7pm

Keith's Keys to the Game: GMU vs. UNCW

Mason (7-8) comes into today's match-up riding a 5 game losing streak, including dropping 3 straight conference games. UNCW (8-7) is also trying to rebound, as they have also dropped 2 of their last 3 conference games. The Patriots will have to work hard in order to reverse their fortunes on the road, as they have only won 2 of 7 games away from the Patriot Center this season. Both have fallen to 1-3 in CAA play.

What to Watch for:


UNCW appears to be a much deeper in terms of scoring potential then Mason is as they have 7 players overall averaging over 5 points per contest, and three of those  players  average over 9 ppg. It will be Mason's duty to apply equal pressure to the starters as they do the reserves for the full 40 minutes of play.

Mason's bench players need to step up. Against Northeastern, they only contributed 2 points in 38 minutes of playing time. On the other hand, their opponent was able to get 28 points off their bench, mostly by one player solely. Mason needs a spark off their bench, and the player that has shown that spark is Christine Weithman. Mason is in a critical point of their season and they need a skilled player like Weithman to really start to step up her game, and be an impact off the bench with her 3 point shooting ability. If  Mason cannot get this bench production, UNCW has no reason to respect any bench player and will go ahead and play defense conservatively when those reserves players see court time.

Mason needs to show some balance in their game plan, they cannot rely solely on Taleia Moton dropping 20 to 30 points a game. After having a 16 point lead and scoring 36 in the first half against Northeastern, the Patriots only scored 18 in the second half and lost the game by 4. Mason needs to learn to play a full 40 minutes against an opponents starters and reserves, or they will blow leads as they have in the past.

I would tell you a player for Mason to key in on, but I honestly cannot. UNCW is as balanced as they come, or as unpredictable. In their last 5 games alone, they have had 6 different players tie/lead them in scoring.The key to this game is to mark every player like they are the star, because you do not know which one is going to go off for 18 points.

Tip-off is set for 2pm at Trask Coliseum in Wilmington, North Carolina. UNCW won the last meeting in February 2011 by a score of 74-56 in Wilmington.

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.

Keith's Keys to the Game: GMU vs. Northeastern

George Mason (7-7) squares off Thursday night in Boston against conference foe Northeastern(2-12). Both teams come in riding similar slumps, each having lost the last 6 of 7 games and looking to break those streaks and improve their conference records.

What to Watch For:


Mason is coming off a loss to #21 Delaware at home, but were able to give the Blue Hen's one of their most competitive matches in recent months. This was in part due to the Patriots being able to shoot 40% from the field in the first half against a tough defense, and also by the resurgent scoring of Taleia Moton who dropped 30 points in the game while shooting 50% from the field. But once again old problems crept up on the Patriots, and they will need to fix these problems before they face the Northeastern Huskies.

Mason will absolutely need bench production. The Patriots will have to get more then 5 points in 56 minutes of playing time from the bench, in which is all they got against #21 Delaware. Northeastern has seven players that average over 5 points per contest in contrast to Mason's five players, and this figure shows the Huskies have a number of players who can shoot from the floor. Mason did a great job against Delaware to shut down their role players, but allowed their All-American forward Delle Donne to absolutely dominate play on the court and drop 40 points. Mason will have to strive to play defense across the board and not let Jewel Tunstull of Northeastern, who comes in averaging 13 ppg on 62% shooting from the field,  from dominating  play.

For Mason to secure a victory on the road, it will be important for the Patriots to come out the gates hot and open up a big lead early in the first half of play. So far this season Northeastern is being dominated and outscored in the first half by its opponents with a margin of 394 to 513, a deficit of -119 points just in the opening 20 minuets. Mason on the other hand is only being outscored by a margin of -4 compared to it's opponents, while the Patriots have outscored their opponents by a margin of +7 in the second half on the course of the season. If Mason is able to build a decent lead in the first half, Northeastern has shown over the  season so far that they are very unlikely to be able to overcome a large deficit especially in the second half of play.

In order for Mason to build up this first half lead they will need to focus on two things, rebounding and turnovers. The Huskies only come into tonight's game averaging 33 rebound a game, compared to Mason's 38 per game. Their should be an emphasis on Evelyn Lewis and Janaa Pickard to really push down low and try to fight hard for rebounds against the tall, but poor rebounding Notheastern forwards and guards. Other then the 6'3 Jewel Tunstull, who averages 7 rebounds a game, only 1 other player averages more then 4 rebounds.

As far as turnovers go, the Huskies have had trouble controlling the ball and it has lead to some recent close defeats. Against  CAA foe UNCW, Northeastern committed 23 turnovers in a 7 point defeat. It will be pertinent for two of the best defensive guards in the CAA, Rahneeka Saunders and Taleia Moton, to up the defensive pressure and force the Huskies into committing their season average 20 turnovers per contest and to then capitalize by scoring on those opportunities.

It will be key to see some significant bench production, in the upwards of +10 points, to help secure the victory tonight. And it wouldn't hurt if Taleia Moton kept up her average by dropping 21 points, but this team needs a balance in order to be successful going forward.

Tip-off is at 7 pm in Boston. Mason, 1-2 in conference play, look to improve to .500 and break a season high 4 game losing streak against the lowly Huskies who are 0-3 in the CAA. Mason (7-7) defeated  Northeastern (2-12) in their last match-up in March 2011 at home by 22 points.