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NORFOLK, Va. - JoNiquia Guilford led a balanced Old Dominion attack with a career-high 20 points and held off George Mason 71-68 Sunday afternoon at the Ted Constant Center.
After being down eight with six minutes to play, Ashley Betz-White gave ODU the lead for good with a three-pointer to take a 63-62 lead with 1:50 remaining.
Jackie Cook hits six-straight foul shots but Taleia Moton hit two-straight three's to give Mason one last chance, but Guilford played solid defense not allowing Moton a good look, as her last chance three bounced off the rim to secure the ODU win.
ODU improves to 7-14 overall and 4-5 in the CAA while George Mason drops to 10-11 overall and 4-5 in league play.
Amber Easter gave Mason their first lead since a 9-7 lead at the 13:57 mark of the first half on a pair of foul shots but ODU regained the lead on a three-pointer from Betz-White at 34-32.
George Mason scored the next six points, four from Moton to take a 38-34 lead.
The Patriots pushed the lead to eight at 55-47 when ODU went on an 13-4 four run to cut the lead to one. Mairi Buchan and Jo Guilford knocked in three's while Betz-White had five points during the stretch, including a three. Guilford gave ODU a 60-59 lead with a jumper in the lane.
Christine Weithman gave George Mason a 9-4 lead with a three-pointer but ODU followed with a 13-0 run to take a 17-9 lead. Guilford started the run with a three-pointer while Tia Lewis had six points during the spurt.
Following the run, Mason scored five-straight but ODU came back with four quick points to push the lead back to seven at 21-14.
ODU went on to hold a 28-23 lead off a three-pointer from Betz-White. The Patriots scored the final five points of the half, three from Moton and two from Joyous Tharrington.
Guilford led ODU with her career-best 20 points and also had four rebounds and three steals. Lewis had her seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds, along with a career-high tying four assists. Betz-White added 16 points, four assists and three steals. It was Betz-White's second-straight game with four three-pointers.
Buchan and Cook each chipped in with nine points, with Cook going 7-of-8 from the foul line.
Moton led Mason with 28 points, while Rahneeka Saunders and Amber Easter each had 12.
Notes
Before the game, Lewis was honored for becoming the seventh Lady Monarch to record 1,000 career rebounds. She is currently sixth in school history with 1,029.
Lewis recorded her seventh double-double of the season and 36th of her career.
This was the third time Guilford set her career-high this season. She had 12 at George Washington, 14 against UMES and now 20. It is the second time this season she has been the team's leading scorer.
ODU is now 26-0 all-time against George Mason in Norfolk.
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