Women's hoops gets first win in 59-48 victory over Oakland

Junior guard Shavonne Duckett attacks the hoop during the Patriots' 59-48 victory over Oakland University Sunday afternoon. This was the team's first win after dropping a heart-breaker to American in the season opener (John Powell).

After a loss to American University on Friday in a game in which only two players combined for 39 of the 50 points, the George Mason women’s team (1-1) received scoring from 10 different players to pace them into a 59-48 win over Oakland University on Sunday afternoon in the Patriot Center, proving a team effort will win basketball games. 

Early in the first half Oakland looked to their junior post player Bethany Watterworth for scoring, and she made sure to touch the ball on almost every Oakland possession. Just seven minutes in, Watterworth had already scored seven points and was well on her way to the 22 she needed to eclipse 1,000 points for her career.

But her efforts weren’t enough against a Patriots team that received 12 bench points by the end of the first half. The bulk of those early bench points came from the hands of freshman Rachel McNair, who showed promise in her first extended action of the year. After an Amber Easter three-pointer kept Mason in front, they would head into the half with the lead. Easter would finish with 11 points, shooting just over 25 percent from the floor.

The second half was marked but stout defense by the Mason women. Back-to-back blocks by Evelyn Lewis and Janaa Pickard on Oakland breakouts kept Mason’s lead intact. Only eight minutes into the second half, Mason had already tallied nine blocks in the game. Oakland was forced to score from the perimeter, but it was the athleticism of the Patriots that was the defensive difference.

Great defense was also the catalyst for strong offense a the quick-minded defense helped jump start the transition game. Two free throws by Rahnekaa Saunders would ice the game and inevitably give the Patriots the win. The high intensity defense by the Patriots would lead to four steals, nine blocks and 16 turnovers.

Mason will look to get their second win of the season as they head on the road to face Longwood University Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.