Final Result: GW routed by George Mason 91-50.

Starting 5 for today: Engel, Lewis, Mott, Reynolds, Sierra-Vargas. The game started with no backcourt pressure from GMU, so GW was able to do some offensive sets around a couple of careless dribbling turnovers by Sierra-Vargas. The defense was not stellar and GMU took a 10-7 lead into the media timeout at 4:43. After the timeout, a Calisto substitution for Sierra-Vargas resulted in better play on both ends of the court for GW. A few great minutes from Calisto spurred a 7-0 GW run, and GW ended the 1st quarter on top 14-10. With GW’s bench in to start the 2nd quarter, the play degraded, with multiple bad shots being taken by the Revs. Still, they managed to stay close, and trailed 20-18 with 4:35 left in the period. After the timeout, order was restored for GW, and on the back of their defense and a couple of time 3-pointers, the Revs retook the lead and headed to the locker room with a 30-25 advantage. Lewis led GW with 9 points and 5 boards, while Engel added 6 points to go with 7 big rebounds. Harris led GMU with 9 points and Suarez chipped in 6 points. GMU opened the 3rd quarter with a full court press and rattled the Revs, particularly Sierra-Vargas, who made several unforced errors. GMU went ahead 37-34, before GW was forced to call a timeout with 7:00 minutes to go. Consecutive GW turnovers out of the timeout helped the Patriots build the lead up to 42-33 at the 5:00 mark. In the final moments of the quarter, GW got some of their composure back, but GMU got hot from beyond the arc and was able to take a 55-45 lead into the 4th period. The full court pressed destroyed GW to start the quarter, leading to 18 easy points and an insurmountable 73-47 lead. Despite the huge lead, GMU insisted on continuing the full court pressure and increased the lead. All the GMU 3’s were dropping and the Patriots cruised to a 91-50 victory. Lewis finished with 16 points and Calisto had 9 points for GW. Harris led the Patriots with 23 points and Walton finished with 20 points.

The Revs were fortunate that GMU did not start the game with a full court press. Once the press was on for GMU, they no longer were forced to play half court offense, and off the turnovers, they took and made the first available 3-pointer on numerous occasions. 25 GW turnovers resulted in a 34-3 edge for George Mason in points off turnovers. GMU made 15 3-pointers, most of them on transition offense after a GW miscue. GW has not learned how to handle pressure. The inbounds pass and first pass after the inbounds were intercepted numerous times, and when GW managed to get the ball past half court, they missed open shots. GMU had a good strategy for GW, but to play the press after getting such a huge lead--- well let’s say, karma’s a B, and hopefully the GMU coach will get hers someday.

UMASS is up next. Lewis was hurt on one of the last plays of the game, so hopefully it’s nothing serious and she can play.

xAC is a true warrior for sitting through the game. Thanks for the recap! I made the decision to do something else instead of watch WBB face a team they are clearly not as good as this year. Sounds like much of the same from other games. Hope Lewis is okay. It is what it is at this point.

xAC wrote:

GMU had a good strategy for GW, but to play the press after getting such a huge lead--- well let’s say, karma’s a B, and hopefully the GMU coach will get hers someday.

Yup that was pretty much my thoughts after the first matchup when GMU took a shot up 30 with the shot clock off. The Patriots are a good team but their coach is completely classless.