This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Alex Kist.
Women’s basketball has toppled its opponent by more than 19 points for the third time in conference play this season.
On the road this Saturday, the Colonials stomped over the Patriots by 35 points, winning 87-52 to secure their 17th consecutive victory and remain undefeated in the Atlantic 10.
With a week off to refresh mentally, the Colonials took down their DMV rival for the 15th time since 1976. Three players scored in double digits, contributing to the team’s 46.5 shooting percentage from the field on the day to George Mason’s 26.7 percent.
The consistent frontcourt of sophomore Caira Washington and junior Jonquel Jones did not fail to produce, racking up 29 points from the field and combining for 15 rebounds on the day. Senior guard Lauren Chase added to the play of the forwards, pacing all guards with 11 points and five assists. Chase leads a deep backcourt that has helped the Colonials outscore their opponents’ benches in the last seven games.
“I think we [guards] have been performing well and getting out in transition, setting each other up in terms of dishing out our assists,” Chase said. “Just doing the little things has really made an impact on guard play.”
GW marched to a 10-2 lead early in the first after sophomore guard Shannon Cranshaw, who put up nine points on the day, knocked down one from the free throw line. Four minutes in, Jones notched her first contribution of the game after going coast to coast to fire up a jumper that elevated GW to a 14-4 advantage. Jones, who has been named A-10 player of the week six times so far this season, would finish with 14 points, seven rebounds and one assist.
Although the Patriots did a good job of breaking the defensive press in the first half, speed was not enough for George Mason to match up against tough GW posts who dominated off the glass.
With an aggressive defensive and spreadable offense, the Colonials propelled to a 46-24 lead and forced 20 turnovers before heading into the locker room.
The second half proved to be no different, as George Mason struggled to find a rhythm in the lopsided affair. The Patriots would get into foul trouble early in the second half, allowing GW to kick the lead out to 59-37 after an easy layup from freshman guard Brianna Cummings.
GW’s bench also helped the team on the offensive end, as the Colonials’ reserves outscored those of the Patriots 37-12. And even when George Mason did add pressure from the perimeter, Chase was able to get passes to the inside and find open shooters.
“Lauren did a great job in the first half coming off the ball screen. They really went on her low and she got in the lane and opened up for her a full on jumper,” head coach Jonathan Tsipis said. “In the second half when she was in, they played a little bit more zone and she ended up with five assists and no turnovers. She just put herself in a good position to score.”
Later in the contest, junior guard Alexis Chandler grabbed an offensive board to boost GW to 63-39 and forced the Patriots to call a timeout. Without being able to turn the court into a workable playing field, George Mason couldn’t mount a comeback as freshman forward Mia Farmer shot a flawless three pointer to close out the game.
It looked like the Colonials were able to maximize their week off, as Tsipis said he was most impressed by his team’s aggressive play.
“We took Sunday and Monday off, and I think it’s really important when they are able to take a weekend day off that they are able to refresh and reenergize,” Tsipis said. “We got the chance to work on ourselves, as opposed to a specific game plan or running things for an opponent.”
GW returns to action on Thursday to host A-10 newcomer Davidson at 11 a.m.
