FAIRFAX, Va. – A monster performance by one of its newest contributors and a lockdown defensive performance in the final period spelled success for the George Mason women's basketball team.
Graduate transfer
Natalie Butler posted her second straight double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Patriots to a 66-53 victory over Old Dominion on Friday afternoon in the home opener at EagleBank Arena in the consolation bracket of the Preseason WNIT.
Mason (2-1) also held the Monarchs to just six points in fourth quarter. This allowed the Patriots to turn a three-point lead into a comfortable 13-point win for just their third victory over ODU in 53 tries.
Mason will now play Southeast Missouri State (2-1) at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in the final Preseason WNIT game. SEMO defeated Saint Francis (Pa.) 82-50 in the first game on Friday. Saint Francis and ODU will tip off at noon Saturday.
Butler, playing in her first home game in a Mason uniform after spending the last two seasons at Connecticut, recorded the 28th double-double of her career. The 6-foot-5 center shot 8 of 14 from the field and made 5 of 7 free throws.
Sophomore
Jacy Bolton added 14 points and freshman
Nicole Cardano-Hillary scored 10. Senior
Tayler Dodson and redshirt junior
Camden Musgrave each scored six points and dished out four assists.