Feb. 28, 2008

Box Score

NORFOLK, Va. - The George Mason women's basketball team had never defeated Old Dominion in the two teams' all-time series, and an overpowering first-half scoring outburst kept the Lady Monarchs' streak alive as they defeated the Patriots, 82-44, in Colonial Athletic Association action on Thursday evening at the Constant Center. Mason fell to 9-17, 3-13 in the CAA, while ODU remained unbeaten in the CAA, improving to 16-0 in conference and 25-3 overall.

Mason was led on offense for the 18th time this season by senior All-CAA candidate Lateisha Wade, who reached double figures for the 19th time this season with 17 points. ODU was paced by double-digit scoring from four different players, led by Tiffany Green's 19 points.

ODU controlled the game's momentum from the outset, opening the contest on an 8-0 run with Williams and Green each chipping in a pair of buckets within the first 2:16. Wade ended the run with a layup, and after another Williams field goal, Broadus connected on a pair of layups to cut the Lady Monarch lead to 10-6, but an 8-0 run by ODU further extended its lead to 12 at 18-6.

Mason continued fighting through the first half, but the Lady Monarchs had an answer at seemingly every turn, taking a 38-23 lead into the locker room at the break. ODU narrowly out-shot the Patriots in the first half from the field (46.7-to-43.5 percent), but held a plus-five turnover margin advantage and outrebounded Mason by a 22-13 spread. Both teams connected on just one 3-point attempt, as ODU was 1-for-8 from beyond the arc in the opening period while Mason was 1-for-4.

In the second half, Mason was unable to bridge the gap as Old Dominion shot 16-of-29 (.552) from the field and did not allow the Patriots to move any closer than 14..

Mason closes out the road portion of its 2007-08 regular season on Sunday when it travels to face Drexel. Tip-off from Philadelphia is set for 1 p.m.