Prince William Reporter

Patriots Back in Fairfax to Host Bonnies

 The George Mason women's basketball team returns to Fairfax this week to welcome St. Bonaventure to EagleBank Arena in the second game of the teams' home-and-home series.

Mason Athletics will celebrate Sue Collins National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) by honoring former women's basketball standout Jennifer Surlas ('01), and Mason track & field throws coach Michelle (Wallerstedt) Hodge ('17) during the game. Mason Athletics dedicated its annual NGWSD celebration in 2019 after Sue Collins, longtime George Mason Senior Woman Administrator. Retiring in 2015, Collins worked at Mason for 34 years, pioneering many initiatives and programs at George Mason and the NCAA level, especially in academic and eligibility policy. 

In the first match-up of the season, Mason was victorious in a defensive battle, ultimately prevailing 49-45 over the Bonnies. Freshman Jada Brown had a career-best night with nine points, including two free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

 

In the second game of the season series, Mason will look to sweep a team for the first time since the 2018-19 season when it beat George Washington twice. Overall, it will be the 15th all-time meeting between the two teams, with the two teams tied at seven wins a-piece after Mason's win in the beginning of January.

 

Mason is looking to snap a two-game losing streak, with their last win coming at home against Davidson in overtime on Jan. 28. On the other hand, St. Bonaventure is looking for their first win since downing Dayton at home on Jan. 19.

 

PATRIOT POINTS

• On Monday, senior Nalani Kaysia was named the A-10 Rookie of the Week after averaging a double-double for the second-straight week with 11.0 points and 16.5 rebounds against Saint Louis and GW.
• Offensively, the Patriots were led by senior Sonia Smith, who knocked down 11 points for her sixth-straight game in double-figure scoring. She also dished out a game-high four rebounds.
• Mason currently has the fourth-best scoring defense in the A-10, limiting opponents to 59.6 ppg. The Patriots rank third in the league with 14.6 offensive rebounds.
• Taylor Jameson ranks 15th in the A-10 with 12.8 ppoints/game 16th with 1.3 steals/game. Nalani Kaysia ranks 10th with 0.9 blocks/game and 9th with 8.0 rebounds/game. Paula Suarez ranks 16th with 3.0 assists/game.

SCOUTING THE BONNIES

St. Bonaventure went 3-12 in non-conference action before opening up A-10 play with five-straight losses. The Bonnies were able to battle Dayton to a win on Jan. 19 at home, but that is their only league victory this year.

 

I'yanna Lops leads the Bonnies on both sides of the court, averaging a team-best 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game so far this season. She has posted three double-doubles and is second on the team in steals with 29. The senior forward also had back-to-back 20-point performances against Rhode Island and Saint Joseph's.

 

Nadechka Laccen is second on the team in scoring with 8.3 points per game has dished out a team-high 69 assists and ranks 19th in the A-10 averaging 2.8 per game. She also leads the team in steals with 30 and is second on the team in rebounding with 3.9 per game.

 

Original source can be found here