The George Mason women's basketball team scored 18 points off 16 Eagle turnovers to defeat Morehead State 74-67 Tuesday at Johnson Arena.
The Eagles (2-1), who were looking for their first 3-0 start since the 2005-06 season, started the contest on a 9-0 spurt, but the Patriots (1-1) answered with a 28-6 run. Mason held MSU scoreless for an 8:14 span that finally ended with 3:42 left in the half.
"I'm not sure they beat us as much as we beat ourselves," Head Coach Tom Hodges said. "Our goal is to always be plus-eight in the turnover margin, and they were the team that finished plus-eight."
George Mason turned the ball over only eight times and held an 18-1 advantage in points via mistakes.
Following a 38-point performance at Lipscomb Sunday, MSU senior guard Terrice Robinson finished with a game-high 25 points. Taylor Brown finished with 24 points for the Patriots, including 15 in the second half, and had five steals. Sandra Ngoi notched 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Eagles shot just 23 percent in the first half (8-of-35), including 1-of-16 from three-point range, while the Patriots finished 12-of-34 (35.3) percent from the floor. MSU out-rebounded Mason 27-25 in the opening 20 minutes. The Patriots also scored 10 points off nine MSU miscues.
MSU made four straight triples during a 1:54 span early in the second half to tie the game at 38. The Eagles grabbed their first lead since 15-14 with a basket by senior guard Shanice Parker that made the score 42-40 with 15:04 left.
George Mason responded with a 9-2 run to take a 51-49 lead with 10:11 remaining. The Patriots did not relinquish the lead the remainder of the contest.
Freshman forward Shay Steele finished with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds and four blocks in just 21 minutes. It was her first career double-double. Junior guard Almesha Jones also chipped in 11 points and a career-high 10 assists, her second straight double-double.
"I credit our kids though," Hodges added. "There were some bright spots. The brightest was Shay Steele. We needed her presence inside, and she gave us great minutes."
Morehead State out-rebounded the Patriots, 45-42, and had 19 offensive boards.
The Eagles shot 15-of-31 (48.4) in the second half, including 8-of-16 from three-point range, while Mason finished 15-of-30 in the final 20 minutes.
MSU returns to action on Saturday when it plays host to Ohio. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.