Welcome to #ToBeFrank: Daniel Frank’s hot takes, analysis and recap of today’s Mason game.
It’s nice to be back in the win column! Mason closed out their non-conference slate with a 69-46 victory over Delaware State. The Patriots were lead by Rachel Balzer, who had a career-high 16 points, 8 of which came in the second half.
BACK-TO-BACK 👌's@rachelbalzer_24 | #GetPatriotic pic.twitter.com/t9vvVnykRk
— Mason Women’s Basketball (@MasonWBB) December 22, 2020
You can tell the growth that she has made over the past few weeks, and it really showed in her confidence on the court today.
Last game, @rachelbalzer_24 went 1/6 from the field for just three points. After the game ended, she stayed late working on her shot.
Tonight, she is 5/7 from the field, including 4/6 from three and leads the team with 14 points. #GetPatriotic #A10WBB https://t.co/vor0GioB8v
— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) December 22, 2020
Mason also benefited from #PostNation getting in on the act, behind 11 points and 5 rebounds from Devyn Wilson.
.@dawcash converts with contact!#GetPatriotic pic.twitter.com/sbmgnnRffI
— Mason Women’s Basketball (@MasonWBB) December 22, 2020
Jazmyn Doster added in 7 points and 8 rebounds, Vanessa Laumbach added in 7 points, including a three with a minute left to seal the victory for George Mason. Daijah Jefferson, though just scoring 4 points, found other ways to contribute with 11 rebounds and 3 assists.
2⃣nd chance points 👏👏@MarikaKorpinen ➡️ @VanessaLaumbach #GetPatriotic pic.twitter.com/ZKv7wddjLb
— Mason Women’s Basketball (@MasonWBB) December 22, 2020
We also need to talk about Marika Korpinen, who dropped 11 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. I swear one of these days, she’s going to get a triple-double.
After 3 quarters, @MasonWBB leads Delaware State 48-31. @MarikaKorpinen leads the way with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. One of these days, you just know she's gonna mess around and get a triple-double. #GetPatriotic #A10WBB
— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) December 22, 2020
Tonight was also her 100th career game, which is quite an achievement on its own.
The one down-point of the night the third quarter, when the Patriots went cold, and got out-scored 16-14 in the period, and gave up a 22-8 run.
Mason led 42-18.
It is now 50-40.
That is a 22-8 run, for the non-math majors among us. #GetPatriotic #A10WBB
— Daniel Frank (@n1a2v3y4) December 22, 2020
But give Mason a lot of credit. They didn’t fold when Delaware State made their run. Instead, they hit some key shots, courtesy of Rachel Balzer and even Vanessa Laumbach with a late three that put the game away.
Tonight marked the conclusion of Mason non-conference slate, as the Patriots finish 3-4. Atlantic 10 play will begin for the Patriots on New Years Day with a trip to New York to face Fordham, followed by a quick flight down to Davidson two days later. A whole new season is about to begin. Let’s see how Mason matches up with the rest of the A-10.
