Women's Basketball

                              Howard Falls Short in Home Opener

Washington, DC-November 28-Lateisha Wade scored a game-high 22 points and Moni Akintunde recorded a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds as George Mason University spoiled Howard University's home opener, 80-77 in a non-conference women's basketball opener at Burr Gymnasium.

            The Patriots (1-2) jumped to a 15-6 lead and never trailed as Wade hit on all five of her shots from the floor to give her team a 41-34 lead at intermission.

            Howard (0-8) put together several rallies and got to within striking distance, but each time Wade or Akintunde made plays to stifle any comeback.

            "I thought we had great moments tonight," said Howard Coach Cathy Parson.  "We were able to do some things when our pressure was on, but we just fell short."

            George Mason took advantage of some Howard miscues and opened a 10-point lead midway through the second half, but the Lady Bison rallied on the scoring of reserve guards Lonice Kenley and Christina Aden, who combined for 16 second half points and cut the deficit to 73-72 at the 4:22 mark.

            But Wade converted on a three-point play and Akintunde followed with a layup to re-claim control at 78-72.  The Lady Bison tried valiantly to close the deficit, but George Mason was able to hold on.

            "I believe fatigue and a lack of mental awareness hurt us down the stretch," explained Coach Parson.  That was the difference at the end."

            Kenley led Howard with 14, Courtney scored 13 and Aden and Sequoya Moore added 11 and 10, respectively.

            "I think right now we are hungry for a win," said Aden. "We're willing to do what it takes to win.  You see a team this isn't down on itself and we realize it's going to take time.  We're chipping away and we're not far from getting that first win."

            The Patriots, who placed five players in double figures, got 14 from Casey Quigley, 11 from C'Vette Henson off the bench and 10 from Jessica Smith.

GAME NOTES:  Howard forced 27 George Mason turnovers, but the Patriots offset that stat with 58 percent shooting (31 of 54) and 20 assists on 31 field goals...the Lady Bison had an advantage in free throw shooting getting 17 more attempts than George Mason.

NEXT UP:  George Mason hosts Siena College on Saturday at 4 pm while Howard will travel to Princess Anne, MD to take on the Lady Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday, December 2 at 2 pm.

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