Posted by xAC  2/15/2024 1:54 pm | #1 |
Next up: George Mason Patriots (GMU)
Time: February 17 2024; 3 PM (ET)
Venue: EagleBank Arena – Fairfax, VA
2022-23 Record: 16-15 (8-8 in A10)
2024 Projection: 8th
Current Record: 19-5
OOC Record: 9-2
A10 Record: 10-3
Common OOC: Coppin State, Towson (GMU defeated both teams on the road)
Last Time Out: 57-41 GW loss on 1/24 at Smith Center
Broadcast: ESPN+
Opponent Summary: GW visits Eagle Bank Arena on Saturday afternoon for a rematch with local rival George Mason University. The Patriots, who have exceeded expectations this season, come into this contest with a gaudy 19-5 record overall that includes 10 wins in the A10. On Wednesday, GMU lost their 3rd A10 game of the season, 75-67, at Davidson. The Patriots are led by guard Sonia Smith (14.7 ppg and 3.1 apg) and forward Zahirah Walton (11.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg). GMU features a balanced attack, with Kennedy Harris (9.8 ppg), Ta’Viyanna Habib (9.5 ppg), and Taylor Jameson (9.2 ppg) also providing ample scoring support. At 72 ppg, the Patriots rank 2st in offense in the A10 and boast a league leading +14.8 points in scoring margin. As a team, the Patriots shoot 40.1% from the field (32.1% from distance). Defensively, the Patriots yield 57.2 ppg, and lead the A10 in rebounding (40.9 per game) and offensive rebounds (14.9 per game).
About the game: In the first meeting between the two teams, GW was able to hold the Patriots’ high-powered offense to just 57 points on 28.6% shooting accuracy. Unfortunately, GW’s anemic offense could not take advantage of the exceptional defensive performance, hitting just 25% from the field. On the defensive side, the Revs could not stay out of foul trouble, enabling a Patriot parade to the free throw line. The story of the game for GMU was Walton, who had her way inside and finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds, and 10-10 on free throws. Smith and Walton were MIA in GMU’s loss to Davidson, so their availability for this game is questionable. GW’s defense has been consistent, but offensive lapses have helped teams get too many easy scores in transition. In the first game, 20 out of the Patriot’s 57 total points came as a result of turnovers and another 15 as a result of second chance points. If GW is to contend, they can’t let this happen again. Of late, the GW’s offense has been playing with more purpose and different players have been stepping up. Against La Salle, GW’s defense facilitated many easy scores helping to overcome the halfcourt offensive difficulties. More of this could only help. And, if the Revs can minimize the “bad” turnovers, we could have a game.
George Mason will be looking to make amends following their loss to Davidson and playing at EagleBank will be a huge challenge for the Revs. After a double-digit win against La Salle, the Revs come into the contest on a positive note, and with nothing to lose, should pull out all the stops.
Last edited by xAC (2/16/2024 11:41 am)
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Posted by gwstudent2024 2/17/2024 5:02 pm | #2 |
Really frustrating loss because they were right there at the end against a talented Mason team. Neglecting to play Robertson down the stretch in favor of Kamari Sims is a mind boggling and indefensible decision. Sims has been good recently but there's no reason Robertson shouldn't be on the floor there. Not to mention the horrible excuse for a final play. It's shocking to me that the best they can come up with in that spot is to isolate Lok and have her heave up a contested three pointer. Happy to see the team showing fight in recent games but a team with this much experience should (in theory) be able to close out a game like this
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Posted by xAC 2/17/2024 5:27 pm | #3 |
Final Result: GW loses a nailbiter 60-57.
In typical Revs’ fashion, GW started out cold, coming up empty on their first six possessions and conceding a 9-0 lead to the Patriots that forced an early GW timeout. The offense got better for GW, but the Patriots riddled the Revs defense for easy scores and closed out the 1st quarter with a 20-12 lead. GW only managed 5-15 shooting, while GMU hit on 53% of their 17 attempts. In the 2nd, things went from bad to worse for GW with miss after miss. Finishing just 1-8 in the first half of the period and with numerous breakdowns in the defense, GW fell behind 30-14 going into the media timeout. A good run for GW after the TO cut the Patriot margin to 33-26. Taiwo was huge for the Revs, with 9 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Innis hit some clutch shots and finished with 8 points. Jazmyn Doster controlled the paint for GMU and finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds. GW came out in the 2nd half on fire and except for a pair of ball handling miscues by Robertson that led to GMU scores, GW shut down the Patriots and cut the lead to 40-39, forcing a GMU timeout. Both offenses bogged down after the TO, with only a single Patriot bucket scored before the media TO at 3:14. GW’s zone press bothered GMU and several takeaways allowed the Revs to take a 46-45 lead into the final period. With both teams digging in, the game got more physical and sometimes sloppy, but GMU was able to retake a 54-53 lead into the final media TO. In the final moments, GW’s offense could not create any clean shots, and GMU was able to hang on for the 60-57 win. Taiwo finished with 14/15 double-double and Robertson finished with 11 points. For GMU, Doster finished with 17 points and Paula Suarez had 16 points after going 4-5 from beyond the arc.
Final result notwithstanding, GW played very well in portions of the game, especially when they pressed in the 2nd half. They still had issues in the half court offense which hurt them down the stretch. Taiwo was all over the court and had her best game of the year. Kamari Sims continues to earn big minutes and had another good outing with 6 points and a nice assist to Taiwo during the comeback. Lok was pressing, especially early, and had 5 turnovers. Robertson also had some bad turnovers and took a couple of ill-advised shots. With 8.3 seconds left and a chance to tie the game, the offense could only manage an off-balance 3-point attempt by Lok that was an airball. The Revs could have easily given up after getting behind early, but they fought back and just fell short. The game was fairly even from a statistical standpoint, except for shooting percentage, where the advantage went to George Mason 44% to 39%, and that was the difference.
Duquesne, who like GMU and VCU has exceeded expectations this year is up next. Hopefully GW can bring the intensity they displayed in this game into the next contest, as the Dukes are especially tough to beat in Pittsburgh.
Last edited by xAC (2/17/2024 10:59 pm)
