HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall climbed the comeback hill and got to the top, but couldn't find that needed push to get over, as George Mason outscored the Thundering Herd, 16-3, over the final 5:55 to claim a 69-56 win Sunday at Cam Henderson Center.
"This was a game we really looked forward to," first-year Marshall coach Juli Fulks said. "George Mason is a really high-level team in offensive efficiency. We knew collectively we had to be really good on defense. There wasn't one person you could really key on. I feel our scout (report) was in place. We keep having big swings. We play really well to start halves, we have to find a way to finish them. We'll figure out a way."
George Mason entered the game with four players shooting 50 percent or better from three and nine shooting 50 percent or better from two. The Patriots shoot 51 percent from the field for games and force an average of 24 turnovers. Marshall had 17. The visitors shot 39 percent from the field, 31 from three and made just 15-of-28 free throws.
George Mason (4-0) had a 47-29 edge on the glass including a 22-7 spread in offensive rebounds. The final point total for the Patriots is a season low.
"We knew No. 42 (Nalani Kaysia) would be a challenge. Just like Toledo. They have good post players, really experienced," Fulks said. "They played a big game. We have to be quicker on the first step. We're a half-step away from that. We spent time on that, made huge gains. It's all starting to flow together."
Marshall trailed 41-30 at the half. Kaysia hit a basket to extend George Mason's lead to 14 at 48-34 with 6:09 left in the third. That's when the Herd started to rally. It cut the deficit to two at 53-51 when Aislynn Hayes made one of two free throws with 0:00 on the clock.
Marshall (1-3) pulled even at 53-all when Layocha Marigney scored with 8:50 to play. The Patriots got the next three on a free throw by Zahirah Walton and basket from Ta'viyanna Habib off a Marshall turnover to take the lead for good.
Peyton Ilderton connected on a three with 5:55 to play to get the Herd within three again at 59-56. That basket was the last points for the Herd to the end. Marshall had the one tie and never led in the contest.
Walton led George Mason with 21 points. Kaysia totaled 12 and 16 rebounds for a double-double. Kennedy Harris finished with 18.
Hayes paced the Herd with 16 points and Madison Kellione 14.
The Patriots led in points in the paint 26-16, and second-chance points, 13-4. They lead the series 2-0.
Down 14, Fulks knew her team had the firepower to rally.
"This team always has a chance. We have great shooters, we have to get them the ball," Fulks said. "They knocked down some shots. It starts with defense. Get stops and get out in transition. You can't do that if you can't get the rebound. We're not having great fourth quarters. That's something we have to work at and be better finishing games. Physically we're okay. It's mental mistakes down the stretch."
The Herd now gets ready for a trip to the WBCA Showcase/Wide World of Sports at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The three-day event Nov. 21/23-24 features eight teams and tournament site is the State Farm Field House. The Herd faces Penn State on November 21 and Tulsa two days later. Other teams there include Georgia, Jacksonville, Louisville, Mississippi State and South Florida.
"It's going to be fun and a challenge," Fulks said. "It will be a challenge to play Penn State and Tulsa. We're really close, except the rebounding thing. That's holding us back. To become better we have to find a way to win that battle legally. We're moving through progression. We have to get there faster."