Jan. 19, 2003

Box Score

NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware used near-record field goal shooting in the first half to break out to a 15-point halftime lead and cruised on to a 73-61 Colonial Athletic Association women's basketball victory over George Mason Sunday afternoon at the Bob Carpenter Center.

The Blue Hens (9-4, 4-1 CAA) shot 68 percent from the field in the first half and finished at 52 percent for the game as they won for the ninth time in their last 10 outings. Delaware got a balanced effort as four starters scored in double figures led by Julie Sailer's career-high tying 21 points to go with nine rebounds. Guard Allison Trapp added 16 points, forward Tiara Malcom added 12 points, and center Christine Cole recorded her third career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Delaware point guard Carrie Timmins added eight points and six assists.

George Mason, which had won three of its last four games, dropped to 6-6, 3-2 CAA despite 15 points from forward Khalilah Smith. Also for the Patriots, Vernessa Neamo, Jen Derevjanik, and Shelbylynn McBride also contributed 11 points with Neamo adding seven steals and Derevjanik pulling a team-high six rebounds.

The Blue Hens, who overcame 17 turnovers by outrebounding GMU 40-29, converted on 17 of 25 shots from the field in the first half, including a stretch in which they connected on eight straight field goals, including two three-pointers and another short jumper from Sailer.

Delaware's 68 percent field goal mark was the second best mark ever in school history for a half, just shy of the record .682 mark set Feb. 8, 2001 vs. Boston University when the Hens hit on 15 of 22 shots. Delaware finished hitting on 52.2 percent of its shots for the game (24 of 46), a season-high for the Blue Hens, and converted on 6 of 11 shots from the beyond the three-point line.

Despite Delaware's hot shooting, George Mason stayed close in the opening half. While the Hens were hitting their eight straight field goals, the Patriots stayed close and tied the game at 27-27 with 5:21 left in the opening stanza on a layup by Derevjanik.

But that would be the last field goal of the half for the Patriots as the Blue Hens closed the session on a 17-2 run, allowing just two free throws by Derevjanik in the final two minutes to break out to the 44-29 halftime advantage. Sailer, who scored all of her team-high 13 points in the first half of Thursday's 65-38 win over Towson, enjoyed another quick start as she led the way with14 first half points against George Mason.

Delaware stayed in front by at least eight points the entire second half as the Patriots never got closer than 55-47 with 12 minutes left to play. Delaware enjoyed a double-figure lead for the final five minutes of the contest.