Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a women’s NCAA Basketball Game at Eagle Bank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia. This was a highly anticipated match as the George Mason Patriots took on the George Washington Revolutionaries. The Revolutionaries have the number on the Patriots, as they are 30-17 against them in Women’s College Basketball all-time. The Patriots showed revenge, as they won by 41 points. The total score was 91-50.
The Patriots trailed the Revolutionaries by five points at halftime, scoring 25-30. After a couple of second-half changes by head coach Venessa Blair-Lewis, the Patriots quickly jumped out on a strong run coming out of the half, outscoring the Revolutionaries 30-15 in the third quarter alone. I asked coach Venessa Blair-Lewis why they went to a full-court press entering the second half, and she responded with, “The team was very stagnant in the first half, and by coming out more aggressive in the second half, allowed them to play at our tempo and establish a flow of our game.” This worked in the second half as the Patriots came out with more aggression, which ultimately paid off.
Sophomore Kenndey Harris and Junior Zahirah Walton had strong performances as they notched above the 18-point mark. I asked Harris how her strong performance would help the team in the future, and she said, “It’s my teammates that lead me to my strong performances, whether it is knocking down the three ball or something else.” This was my favorite response by any of the coaches and athletes because it highlights how vital teammates can be to one another, leading to a strong performance like Harris’s. Walton and Harris continue contributing to the squad and hope to end the season strong.
In conclusion, the George Mason Patriots’s impressive victory over the George Washington Revolutionaries is a testament to their resilience and teamwork. Coach Venessa Blair-Lewis’s adjustments and the players’ determination to elevate their game in the second half exemplify the spirit of hard work and collaboration. With standout performances from Kenndey Harris and Zahirah Walton, the team is not only building momentum but also fostering a sense of unity that can carry them through the rest of the season. As they aim for a spot in the March Madness tournament, the Patriots are proving that anything is possible with dedication and support for one another. The Patriots have their final regular season game as they play the Duquesne Dukes on Saturday, March 1st. A win here will be crucial in terms of making the big tournament.
