Women's hoops drops 55-51 heartbreaker against American

The George Mason women’s team was different. Played different, looked different, even carried themselves differently. Coming into the 2011-12 season they would be without three starters due to graduation. It was time to look for a new leader within the locker room and on the court.

The Patriots would find that Friday night against American University in the form of Amber Easter, a former CAA Rookie of the Year. She punched her early season ticket with a 20-point night, but American proved to be too much for the junior and her Patriot teammates as they fell 55-51 at home. 

George Mason dominated the game early, limiting turnovers and owning the paint. But a scoring draught early in the first half proved habilitating. Numerous walks up and down the court to watch American take free throws proved to be the difference in the loss. With 3:54 left in the first half Mason trailed 20-15.

A three-point shot by Taleia Moton with 2:00 left gave Mason some momentum and helped end their scoring deficiency. After a missed layup under the basket by Evelyn Lewis, two more second chance opportunities eventually led to a kick out to Easter. She went to work, hitting a two point jumper to end the half trailing 24-20.

The second half proved to be different from the start. Moton, who ended the game with 19 points of her own, tied the game at 24-24 just two minutes into the period. Easter was unstoppable as she hit a three-pointer to give Mason their first lead of the game. But for every Mason answer there was an American counter.

With three minutes left Mason trailed by seven points in a game that was never closer then two points. Two bombs by Easter and Moton quickly put Mason back into the game with just under two minutes to go. The defense was stout, and a Moton runner with 1:00 left tied the game.

The Patriots had a chance to tie the game or win it with a three with 13 seconds left on the clock. A broken play gave Easter the chance to win the game with a easy layup under the basket, but the player that had been so dominate all game missed.

It was the proper ending to a game that American dominated, as the late two minute rally wasn’t enough to match American’s 40 minute effort. Easter would tie her career high in the game, as her and Moton combined for 39 of the  Patriots’ 51 points.

Mason will look to get their first win of the season as they take on Oakland University on Sunday at the Patriot Center.