FAIRFAX, VA- Sophomore guard Nicole Cardaño-Hillary drilled a buzzer-beating three as George Mason knocked off Dayton 54-51 Sunday afternoon. It was a crazy game of back and forth runs, but the ending made sure this was a Senior Day that no one will ever forget.
Casey Davis and Jewel Triggs honored pregame on Senior Day! #GetPatriotic pic.twitter.com/pkBcGPQSsH
— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) February 24, 2019
Dayton came flying out of the gates, jumping out to a 21-9 lead after the first quarter, in which the Flyers dominated points in the paint 12-6 and controlled that glass 11-6. The Patriots shot just 29% to Dayton’s 56%, and were 0-7 from three.
The second quarter could not have been more different. George Mason jumped out to a 10-0 run, which became a 14-4 run at the media timeout. Mason would go on to out-score Dayton 22-4 in the second quarter and shoot 64%, while limiting the Flyers to an astounding 8% (1-13 FG) from the field. Alexsis Grate scored 8 of her 13 points in the second quarter alone, while Jacy Bolton grabbed 6 of her 12 total rebounds.
The Patriots really helped themselves in that second quarter, limiting themselves to just 6 first-half turnovers, and out-scored Dayton 20-14 in the paint, an 11 point swing from the first quarter. Nicole Cardaño-Hillary gave the Patriots the lead with 1:49 remaining in the half, and then Allie McCool banked-in a three just before halftime to give Mason a 31-25 lead at the half.
The third quarter opened with Dayton going on a 9-4 run to pull to within two, before missing 4 consecutive free throws on ensuing possessions that would’ve tied the game. Instead, George Mason was able to hang onto a 40-36 lead despite being out-scored 11-9 and getting into some foul trouble with Sarah Kaminski and Camarie Gatling each picking up 3 fouls.
The final frame started slow offensively, as Dayton went 0-5 to start, while Mason was 1-3 from the field. Alexsis Grate hit two key free throws with 6:09 left to give Mason a 46-36 lead.
Two HUGE free throws from Alexis’s Grate and Mason leads by 10, 46-36 with 5:55 left. #GetPatriotic pic.twitter.com/VvAJ03H0uL
— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) February 24, 2019
The lead would balloon to its’ largest size with Mason leading by 12 with 4:45 left. The Dayton turned up the defensive pressure and implemented a full-court press. This lead to what would eventually become an 11-2 run that would see Dayton tie the game with 02.4 second left. The Flyers certainly had their chances to stretch that run even further, most notably, Brittany Ward going just 1-2 from the line with 53.5 left that gave Mason the ball back up 51-49. That possession would lead to a shot clock violation, and on the ensuing Dayton possession, Shakeela Fowler would convert on a back-door drive to the basket that tied the game. Had Ward hit both free throws, this would have given the Flyers the lead. Over the entire game, Dayton went just 6-12 from the line, and had 17 turnovers.
Instead, fate would smile on George Mason, and this unforgettable shot swished in right at the buzzer:
.@nikkich_14 WINS IT AT THE BUZZER!!! MASON DEFEATS DAYTON 54-51!!!!#GetPatriotic pic.twitter.com/hb7EfRfeIZ
— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) February 24, 2019
And another angle…
Here's the game-winning shot by @nikkich_14 as George Mason defeats Dayton 54-51! #GetPatriotic pic.twitter.com/khuecwzdYw
— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) February 24, 2019
This is a tremendous win for George Mason. This is a game that I don’t think really anyone though the Patriots would win. With a win today, George Mason retains their position in 7th place. Here’s the updated standings:
Updated #A10WBB Standings:
12-2 VCU
11-3 Fordham
–
10-4 Davidson
9-5 Dayton
9-5 Duquesne
8-6 Saint Louis
7-7 George Mason
7-7 Saint Joseph's
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7-7 George Washington
5-9 Richmond
5-9 St. Bonaventure
5-9 UMass
2-12 Rhode Island
1-13 La Salle— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) February 25, 2019
Postgame, Nyla Milleson was quick to remind everyone that they now need to really focus in on Saint Joseph’s and not allow this win to distract them. Because while this is a tremendous win, a loss to Saint Joseph’s on Wednesday would really hurt Mason. That said, there is a realistic possibility that George Mason could finish as high as 6th place. Saint Louis’ final two games are against Dayton and VCU. Both are loseable games. If Mason can win out, they would push the Billikens down to 7th. The Patriots do not have the head-to-head tie-breaker, so if both they finish 8-8, SLU would retain 6th place. In fact, the Billikens have head-to-head wins over George Washington and Saint Joseph’s, the other teams that Mason is tied with at 7-7.
Here’s a better look at the race for the 6th, 7th and 8th seeds:
All of that said, while the team may need to quickly move on and focus on the Hawks, we can certainly sit back and enjoy this one for a few days. This was a special win. Cue that Sweet Victory!!!
Sweet victory it is!!! #GetPatriotic pic.twitter.com/9rVicTo5DU
— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) February 24, 2019
I strongly encourage everyone to come out early on Wednesday and catch the women’s game against Saint Joseph’s at 4PM. You’re already going to be at EBA for the men’s game at 7PM against Richmond anyway. Why not come early and support these tremendous ladies! Hope to see y’all there!
