On most nights, George Mason Coach Debbie Taneyhill isn't sure who will come through for the Patriots. She doesn't have one or two players who can take over a game, which is one of the reasons why George Mason has struggled this season.
The lack of a go-to player wasn't an issue last night against Towson. The Patriots used a balanced effort to defeat the Tigers, 68-45, before 625 at Patriot Center.
Jen Daniels had 17 points to lead four scorers in double figures. It was only the fourth time this season George Mason (10-13, 6-8 Colonial Athletic Association) has had four players finish with 10 points or more. Freshman forward Moni Akintunde (Laurel) had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Balance "is good and bad," Taneyhill said. "We have a lot of weapons; but unfortunately, none of those weapons have been consistent."
The Patriots' avenged an earlier loss to Towson (13-12, 6-8). George Mason had been 12-0 against the Tigers until they lost, 72-60, on Jan. 2. The teams are now tied for sixth place in the CAA.
"Definitely there was a revenge factor there," Daniels said. "We didn't feel like we played as well as we were capable of. It was good to come out and play that well tonight."
Although George Mason trailed to start the game, once Akintunde made a layup to put the Patriots ahead, 17-15, the Patriots never relinquished the lead. They closed out the first half with a 10-2 run to go up, 32-21, at halftime. Towson was unable to draw close because the Patriots kept making their shots. They shot 52 percent from the floor, including making 6 of 12 from three-point range.
With four games remaining in the regular season, George Mason needs a strong finish to put itself in a good position going into the CAA tournament, which the Patriots host March 9-12.
"We're hoping to win the next four," Daniels said, "so we can get a good seed."
• GEORGE WASHINGTON 60, ST. JOSEPH'S 55: Senior forward Anna Montañana scored a game-high 26 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to lead the Colonials to an Atlantic-10 win in Philadelphia.
Guards Kimberly Beck and Kenan Cole added nine points apiece for the Colonials (17-7, 10-3), while Maura McBryan led St. Joseph's (6-19, 4-9) with 20. The victory was the 425th of Coach Joe McKeown's 19-year career.
