FAIRFAX, Va. (Interstat) — Zahirah Walton scored 22 points to lead George Mason to a 67-52 victory over George Washington in a women’s Atlantic 10 basketball game Saturday at EagleBank Arena. The Patriots never trailed after building a 21-17 first-quarter lead. They extended their advantage to 37-26 by halftime and maintained a double-digit margin throughout the second half. Walton added eight rebounds for George Mason. Kennedy Harris scored 14 points and Mary Amoateng added 12 for the Patriots. Gabby Reynolds led the Revolutionaries with 11 points. Sara Lewis grabbed seven rebounds for George Washington, which shot poorly from the field. Attendance was 2,570. George Mason improved to 19-8 overall, while George Washington fell to 14-15.

FAIRFAX, Va. (Interstat) — Zahirah Walton scored 22 points and George Mason capitalized on a torrent of George Washington turnovers to secure a 67-52 victory in an Atlantic 10 women’s basketball game Saturday at EagleBank Arena. The Patriots, improving to 19-8 overall, forced 11 turnovers by the Revolutionaries and converted them into 20 points, a decisive 18-point margin in that category that underscored the game’s defensive narrative. George Mason committed only six turnovers, leading to just two points for the visitors. George Washington (14-15) kept pace early, trailing just 21-17 after a competitive first quarter. The game’s complexion shifted decisively in the second period. The Patriots tightened their defensive pressure, holding the Revolutionaries to nine points on 4-of-13 shooting while forcing five turnovers. A 10-2 run by George Mason, fueled by transition opportunities and stifling half-court defense, stretched the lead to 37-26 by halftime. The Revolutionaries never recovered from that stretch. They shot just 34.6% from the field for the game and managed only two assists against their 11 turnovers, highlighting persistent offensive stagnation. George Mason, while shooting 40.7% overall, maintained control by dominating inside with 28 points in the paint and excelling at the free-throw line, making 16 of 18 attempts. Walton, the game’s standout performer, added eight rebounds to her game-high 22 points. She was instrumental in the first-half surge that created separation. Kennedy Harris, a 5-foot-6 guard from Hampton, Virginia, provided 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Mary Amoateng of Baltimore contributed 12 points. The Patriots’ backcourt duo of Harris and Amoateng combined for five of the team’s nine steals. George Washington was led by Gabby Reynolds of Holland, Michigan, with 11 points. Sara Lewis of Atlanta posted five points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Kamari Sims of Severn, Maryland, added seven points, three rebounds and three blocks. The Revolutionaries struggled to find consistent offense outside of brief spurts, with their 52 points marking their second-lowest output of the conference season. The Patriots expanded their lead to as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter, effectively closing the door with a final defensive stand. A late three-pointer by Emma Theodorsson of Pittsburgh and a tip-in at the buzzer by Colleen Phiri provided the final margin for the Revolutionaries. The win completes a regular-season sweep for George Mason, which defeated George Washington 59-46 on Jan. 11. The Patriots have now won four of their last five games. George Washington has lost two straight following an overtime win over Richmond last Wednesday. Attendance was 2,570 at EagleBank Arena. George Washington will host Saint Bonaventure on Wednesday. George Mason returns to action the same afternoon, hosting Saint Joseph’s.

FAIRFAX, Va. (Interstat) — A surging George Mason looks to complete a regular-season sweep and solidify its Atlantic 10 standing when it hosts crosstown rival George Washington in a women’s basketball matchup Saturday at EagleBank Arena. The Patriots (18-8, 9-4 A-10) enter on a strong run, having won five of their last six games, including a 67-55 victory at Loyola Chicago on Wednesday. They currently sit near the top of the conference standings. The Revolutionaries (14-14, 6-7), meanwhile, have struggled for consistency, alternating wins and losses over their past eight contests. They are coming off a 57-54 overtime win against Richmond on Wednesday. George Mason won the first meeting this season decisively, 59-46, at George Washington on Jan. 11. The Patriots’ defense held the Revolutionaries to just 29.6% shooting from the field in that game. A key matchup will feature two of the conference’s top guards. George Washington’s Gabby Reynolds is averaging 17.1 points per game over her last seven contests, including a 22-point performance in the overtime win over Richmond. She will be countered by George Mason’s Zahirah Walton, who is coming off a 22-point game of her own at Loyola Chicago and provides versatile production, averaging 12.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists over the same seven-game span. For George Washington, finding secondary scoring behind Reynolds will be critical. Sara Lewis and Kamari Sims were contributors in the last outing, but the Revolutionaries rank near the bottom of the A-10 in scoring offense. George Mason boasts one of the league’s top defenses, allowing just 57.9 points per game in conference play. The Patriots can leverage their size and depth, with players like Mary Amoateng and Jada Brown providing support around Walton. A win would bolster George Mason’s case for a high seed in the upcoming Atlantic 10 tournament. For George Washington, the game represents an opportunity to level the season series and build momentum with a signature road win against a top-tier conference opponent. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST on Saturday.