FAIRFAX, Va. (Interstat) — The Princeton Tigers outlasted the George Mason Patriots 71-69 in overtime Saturday in a nonconference women’s basketball game at EagleBank Arena. Princeton led by as many as 13 points in the first half, but George Mason mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to force the extra period. The Tigers scored the final five points of overtime, sealed by Ashley Chea’s fast-break jumper with two seconds remaining. Olivia Hutcherson led Princeton with 17 points and seven rebounds. Madison St. Rose added a game-high 19 points for the Tigers. Zahirah Walton scored 18 points for George Mason, and Kennedy Harris added 17. Princeton improved to 11-1, while George Mason moved to 6-6.

FAIRFAX, Va. (Interstat) — In a game defined by dramatic swings and a relentless final push, the Princeton Tigers remained undefeated on the road this season by outlasting the George Mason Patriots 71-69 in overtime Saturday in a nonconference women’s basketball thriller at EagleBank Arena. The contest, witnessed by 1,186 fans, saw Princeton squander a 14-point second-half lead, rally from a six-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation, and finally secure the victory on a cold-blooded jumper from the elbow by Ashley Chea with two seconds left in the extra period. Princeton, which improved to 11-1 overall, was led by Olivia Hutcherson’s 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. But it was the backcourt duo of Madison St. Rose and Chea that delivered the most critical blows. St. Rose scored a team-high 19 points, including three pressure-packed free throws with 17 seconds left in regulation to tie the game. Chea, who played a game-high 41 minutes, finished with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists, none bigger than her final dish and shot. George Mason, which fell to 6-6, was powered by Zahirah Walton’s 18 points and five rebounds and a 17-point effort from Kennedy Harris. The Patriots’ comeback was fueled by a dominant 22-point fourth quarter, where they erased a 59-53 Princeton lead with a 10-0 run, seemingly taking control. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the frantic final 30 seconds of regulation. Trailing 63-60, Princeton’ St. Rose was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Walton with 17 seconds on the clock. The junior guard calmly sank all three free throws to knot the score. George Mason’s ensuing possession ended in a held ball, giving Princeton a chance with 14 seconds left. St. Rose’s potential game-winning 3-pointer missed, but Toby Nweke grabbed the offensive rebound, scored the putback and drew a foul with eight-tenths of a second remaining. Nweke completed the three-point play, putting Princeton ahead 66-63. The drama was not over. On the inbound play, Princeton’s Madison St. Rose was called for a flagrant foul on George Mason’s Mary Amoateng, who made both free throws to cut the lead to one. George Mason retained possession, and Amoateng was fouled again, making two more free throws to give the Patriots a 67-66 lead with 4.7 seconds left. Princeton’s final regulation play ended in a turnover, sending the game to overtime tied at 67. In the extra period, the teams traded blows until a Walton free throw gave George Mason a 69-68 lead with eight seconds left. After a timeout, Princeton executed its final play to perfection. Chea received the inbound pass, drove the length of the court, and pulled up from just inside the foul line, sinking the game-winner over a defender. George Mason’s desperation heave from half-court was off target. Princeton built its early lead behind a strong first half, taking a 34-27 advantage into the break. The Tigers stretched the lead to 14 points in the third quarter before the Patriots began their methodical comeback, setting the stage for the wild finish. For Princeton, Fadima Tall contributed 10 rebounds and four points, while Nweke added eight points and six rebounds off the bench. George Mason’s Hawa Komara posted a double-double with 10 rebounds and six points, and Louis Volker added 12 points. The Tigers, who entered the game with a 65.5% win probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system, have now won five straight games. They will look to continue their momentum when they host Temple on Monday. George Mason, which had its two-game winning streak snapped, will break for the holidays before hosting Dayton on Dec. 31.

Preview: No. 12/13 Princeton Tigers at George Mason Patriots FAIRFAX, Va. (Interstat) — A surging Princeton squad aims to continue its dominant non-conference run when the 12th-ranked Tigers visit George Mason in a women’s basketball matchup Saturday at EagleBank Arena. Princeton (10-1) enters on a nine-game winning streak, its lone loss a 16-point setback at then-Maryland on Nov. 16. The Tigers are coming off an 81-63 victory over Rutgers on Dec. 10, where they shot 50% from the field. The Tigers are led by standout guard Fadima Tall, who is averaging 20.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists over her last four games. She poured in a season-high 28 points against Rutgers. She is complemented by Ashley Chea and Olivia Hutcherson, who each added 16 points in the win. George Mason (6-5) looks to rebound from a narrow 74-73 home loss to Liberty on Dec. 7. The Patriots have alternated wins and losses over their past six games. The Patriots counter with guard Maliyah Johnson, who scored a career-high 25 points in the loss to Liberty. She leads the team in scoring at 13.2 points per game in Atlantic 10 play. Princeton’s offense has been potent, scoring 80 or more points in four games this season. George Mason’s defense, allowing an average of 68.5 points, will be tested. The Patriots are 4-1 at home this season. This is the first meeting between the programs. Princeton begins Ivy League play Jan. 3 at Penn. George Mason opens its Atlantic 10 schedule Dec. 31 against Dayton. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. EST Saturday.