PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — Kennedy Harris scored 22 points to lead George Mason to a 66-59 victory over Saint Joseph’s in an Atlantic 10 women’s basketball game Sunday at Hagan Arena. The Patriots improved to 12-6 overall, matching the Hawks’ record. George Mason never trailed in the second half, using a balanced attack to secure the road win. Zahirah Walton added 15 points for the Patriots. Saint Joseph’s was led by Rhian Stokes with 15 points and four assists. Gabby Casey grabbed 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who have lost two straight conference games. Both teams shot evenly from the floor, but George Mason capitalized on key possessions down the stretch to maintain its lead. The Patriots have won five of their last six games.

PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — In a pivotal Atlantic 10 Conference clash between teams jockeying for position, the George Mason Patriots used a decisive fourth-quarter run to pull away from the Saint Joseph’s Hawks and secure a 66-59 victory in women’s basketball on Sunday at Hagan Arena. The game, which featured six ties and 11 lead changes, saw both teams enter with identical 11-6 records and leave with matching 12-6 marks. The Patriots ultimately prevailed by executing more efficiently in the closing minutes and capitalizing on a critical stretch of Hawks turnovers. George Mason guard Kennedy Harris, a junior from Hampton, Virginia, led all scorers with 22 points, including three 3-pointers. Her backcourt mate, senior Zahirah Walton, provided crucial support with 15 points and five rebounds. The Patriots’ offense, while not prolific, proved timely. They shot 42.1% from the field and a sharp 40% from beyond the arc, compared to Saint Joseph’s 39.7% and 25% shooting, respectively. George Mason also converted 10 of 11 free throws. Saint Joseph’s was led by guard Rhian Stokes of Ewing, New Jersey, who finished with 15 points, four assists and three rebounds. Forward Gabby Casey of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, posted a near double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. Aleah Snead, a Philadelphia native, added 13 points and five rebounds for the Hawks. The contest was a defensive struggle for long stretches, with neither team able to establish a lead larger than seven points until the final minutes. The Hawks held a narrow 41-39 advantage entering the fourth quarter after Gabby Casey’s tip-in at the third-quarter buzzer. The most important sequence of the game unfolded midway through the final period with the score tied at 46. Following a media timeout, George Mason’s defense catalyzed a game-breaking run. The Patriots forced turnovers on three consecutive Saint Joseph’s possessions. Mary Amoateng, a sophomore from Baltimore, Maryland, who contributed 12 points and five assists, ignited the surge with a steal. That led to a driving layup by Zahirah Walton to put George Mason ahead for good. On the ensuing Hawks trip, another steal, this time by Walton, led to a transition opportunity. Although George Mason did not score immediately, they maintained possession and Amoateng buried a 3-pointer off an assist from Kennedy Harris, extending the lead to five points. The Hawks’ struggles continued with another turnover, and the Patriots capitalized with two Amoateng free throws to cap a 7-0 run, taking a 53-46 lead with just over three minutes remaining. Saint Joseph’s fought to close the gap, pulling within four points on two occasions in the final minute, but George Mason sealed the win by making 5 of 6 free throws in the last 30 seconds. A last-second jump shot by Saint Joseph’s Emily Knouse provided the final margin. The Patriots won despite being narrowly out-rebounded and committing 13 turnovers. They offset that by holding Saint Joseph’s to an offensive rating of 82.8 points per 100 possessions and forcing 14 Hawks turnovers, several at the most inopportune time. With the win, George Mason extends its winning streak to five games and continues its strong start to conference play. Saint Joseph’s sees a two-game win streak snapped as it heads back on the road. Both teams return to action in Atlantic 10 play Wednesday. George Mason travels to face Saint Bonaventure, while Saint Joseph’s visits Duquesne. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Fairfax, Virginia, on Feb. 25.

PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — A pivotal Atlantic 10 women’s basketball matchup featuring two of the conference’s hottest teams is set for Sunday when the George Mason Patriots visit the Saint Joseph’s Hawks at Hagan Arena. Both squads enter with winning momentum despite midweek setbacks. George Mason (11-6, 4-1 A-10) saw a four-game win streak snapped in a 57-48 loss at Saint Bonaventure on Wednesday. The Hawks (12-5, 4-1) had their own five-game run halted with a 57-48 defeat at Saint Bonaventure on Jan. 14. The game features a compelling backcourt duel. George Mason is led by dynamic guard Zahirah Walton, who is averaging 19.8 points over her last five games. She poured in a game-high 25 points in Wednesday’s win over Loyola Chicago. Her scoring prowess will be vital for the Patriots’ offense. Saint Joseph’s counters with guard Rhian Stokes, who scored 20 points in the loss to the Bonnies. While her production has fluctuated, she showcased high-level playmaking with a 13-point, 10-assist double-double against Arcadia on Dec. 28 and dropped 17 points in a key non-conference win over Delaware. The Patriots have found their stride in conference play, with recent decisive wins over George Washington, La Salle and VCU. Their defense has been stifling, holding three of their last four A-10 opponents under 60 points. The Hawks have been dominant at home, winning their last five at Hagan Arena by an average of 33.4 points, including a 108-38 rout of Arcadia. Their conference wins over La Salle, Fordham and VCU were anchored by strong defensive performances. This contest represents an early test for conference positioning. The winner will solidify a place near the top of the A-10 standings as the schedule nears the midway point. The teams will meet again in Fairfax, Virginia, on Feb. 25. Tip-off is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.