Dec. 12, 2010
FAIRFAX, Va. - Tenishia Benson scored 14 of her team-high 16 points in the second half to spur a big second-half Ohio run, but the deficit was just a little too much to overcome as Bobcats fell to George Mason, 69-53, Sunday in the Patriot Center.
Ohio scored 36 points in the second half, a season best for a half by the `Cats this season, while trying to erase a big second-half deficit. The Patriots hit a pair of big shots and knocked down free throws at the end, however, to keep the Green and White at bay and take the win.
The `Cats (2-7) won the battle on the boards 41-39, a season high in caroms for Ohio. The Green and White also outscored the Patriots 32-28 inside the paint. GMU (4-5) picked up a 19-13 edge in second-chance points.
Benson's (Akron, Ohio) 16 paced two Bobcats in double figures as Thia Gholson (Louisville, Ky.) chipped in a season-best 10 points. Benson also pulled down seven rebounds to go with three steals and two assists. Shavon Robinson (Canton, Ohio) notched a season- and career-best eight points to go with three boards, a pair of helpers and one steal. Kamille Buckner (Chicago, Ill.) pulled down seven rebounds to go with six points, while Alesia Howard (Columbus, Ohio) also tallied six to go with two steals.
Play was close in the early goings with GMU managing to cling to a 9-8 lead just over five and a half minutes in. The rims went cold for the `Cats over the next several minutes as the Patriots took advantage of a huge 16-2 run to go up 25-10 with 4:48 left in the first half.
Action remained tight the rest of the frame with GMU taking a 32-17 lead into the half. Turnovers hurt Ohio in the first half as it ended up with 13 miscues, which resulted in eight Patriot points. The Patriots also took advantage of things on the offensive glass, tallying eight second-chance points. The `Cats made the most of their opportunities inside the paint in the opening frame, scoring all but five of their points inside the lane.
GMU opened the second half on a 9-2 run to go up by 22 with 15:28 left. The Patriots went up by as many as 26 at the 14:07 mark. Ohio would not go away without a bit of a fight as mounted a furious 16-5 run over a span of 6:45 to pull within 50-35 with 7:21 left.
A pair of Howard free throws cut the deficit to 13 at 54-41 with 5:26 left. The `Cats pulled to within 12 after a Benson free throw with 3:37 left, but that was as close as Ohio would get as GMU hit key free throws and knocked down a big three en route to sealing off the win.
Ashleigh Braxton scored a game-high 17 points to lead two Patriots in double figures as Taleia Morton chipped in 13. Amber Easter pulled down a game-high eight rebounds while tallying nine points as well for GMU
Ohio will now return to the friendly confines of the Convo for a three-game homestand before breaking for Christmas. First on tap is a date with Duquesne Thursday at 11 a.m. as part of Middle School Day.
