FAIRFAX, VA- Behind a career-high 17 points from Olga Petrova, first place VCU (20-6, 12-1) defeated George Mason (13-12, 5-7) 62-38 in EagleBank Arena Sunday afternoon.
Patriots’ head coach Nyla Milleson said after the game, their initial game plan was to “play the game of odds,” by playing a 2-3 zone. Entering today, the Rams averaged just 4.1 threes per game. They knocked down an astonishing 10 triples today. VCU’s first two baskets of the day were threes, made by Taya Robinson and Sydnei Archie. That set the tone for the afternoon.
In addition to the Rams’ blazing shooting, their top-5 defense in the nation really flexed its’ muscles today. George Mason was limited to just 24% shooting from the field, and 3-18 from behind the arc. Nicole Cardaño-Hillary lead the Patriots with 12 points, while Camarie Gatling added 10 points, despite having 4 fouls. Mason totaled 12 made field goals over the course of the afternoon, while turning the ball over 15 times.
Mason was able to keep it to a six point game after 10 minutes, and trailed 26-16 at the half, before being outscored 36-22 in the final 20 minutes. This was not a game that I think surprised many, including Nyla Milleson. In the post-game press conference, she was very up front about how good a VCU team this is. The Rams most certainly proved that today. Looking ahead, George Mason will travel to face 4-8 Richmond on Thursday in what is a nearly must-win game to remain in the top-8 of the A-10 standings:
Updated #A10WBB Standings:
12-1 VCU
10-3 Fordham
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9-3 Davidson
8-4 Dayton
8-5 Saint Louis
7-5 Duquesne
6-6 Saint Joseph's
5-7 George Mason
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5-7 UMass
5-7 George Washington
4-8 Richmond
4-8 St. Bonaventure
2-10 Rhode Island
1-12 La Salle— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) February 17, 2019
The Patriots return home next Sunday for Homecoming Weekend when they place host to Dayton at 2:00 in EBA. Hope to see you all there.
