Women's hoops escapes against UMass for fifth win, 55-52

Senior guard Taleia Moton goes to the hoop strong as the women's Patriots defeated UMass Thursday night, 55-52. She scored 32 points and ranks in the top-15 in the nation in scoring (John Powell).

In the closest game at the Patriot Center this season, the George Mason women outlasted the University of Massachusetts for a 55-52 home win. The Patriots improve to 5-1 on the season, their best start under head coach Jeri Porter and the best since the 2001 campaign. Massachusetts, on the other hand, hits the cellar, falling to 1-6 and last in the Atlantic 10.

UMass played far differently then there record shows. They kept pace with the fast, athletic Mason team, and their transition offense.  But they were overmatched by CAA co-player of the week Taleia Moton. The senior guard, who ranks in the top-15 in the nation in scoring, got the Patriots off to a quick start, scoring six straight points in the first two minutes. Moton would finish the game with 32 points, a new career high.

“The stat sheet will show a lot of points for Taleia, obviously we needed that,” Porter said.

It seemed for every Mason basket, there was a UMass answer.  The post-game was heating up for the Mintuewomen, as they dominated the Mason interior, led by senior Shakia Robinson’s 14 points.  After two missed layup attempts by Evelyn Lewis to put Mason up by 10, it was UMass who took control.  Back-to-back three-pointers by Emile Teushcher gave the Minutewomen a restored sense of confidence and a one-point deficit going into the half.

Beginning the second half Mason couldn’t seem to get the offense going. After starting the game with crisp passing, they had become a one-man wrecking crew leaning on the standout Moton. A few minutes into the second half it was apparent that Mason was struggling, they hadn’t scored since the 5:43 mark in the first half. But it was Moton to the rescue again as she reeled off seven straight points to keep the Patriots in front.

As the game winded down, UMass had three chances to tie the game at 55, but it was an air-ball by Carolann Cloutier that sealed the win for the Patriots.

“We’ve won in a lot of different ways this year, we’ve had to grind out some wins, and we’ve blown teams out. I’m just proud of our effort,” said a smiling Coach Porter.

George Mason will welcome Old Dominion University to the Patriot Center Sunday afternoon in their first conference matchup of the season.