ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Kaylene Smikle made a significant impact on the game by scoring 16 points and hitting crucial baskets in the closing minutes, aiding No. 10 Maryland in securing a 66-56 victory over George Mason on Saturday at the Navy Classic. This match showcased two undefeated teams competing against each other.
The Terrapins, now boasting a 7-0 record, held a slim two-point lead when Smikle made a vital steal, followed by a layup while being fouled. She converted the free throw, extending the lead to 58-53. Shortly after, she secured a putback basket, pushing Maryland’s advantage to seven points.
Despite a lackluster performance at the free-throw line, where they ended up making only 13 of their 26 attempts, the Terps managed to hold on for the win.
On the other side, George Mason entered the halftime break trailing by 10 points but mounted a strong comeback, outscoring Maryland 18-7 in the third quarter. The Patriots managed to take a brief lead of 49-48 in the fourth quarter following a jumper by Kennedy Harris, who was the star for George Mason with a team-high of 26 points.
With this win, Maryland has achieved its best start since the 2018-19 season when they won their first 12 games.
In terms of takeaways, George Mason has yet to defeat Maryland in their nine meetings, but the matches have become increasingly competitive. Last year’s contest ended with the Terps winning 86-77, and this game also reflected a closer battle than the final score indicates.
For Maryland, despite the positive start after a subpar previous season, their struggles at the free-throw line nearly jeopardized their success in this game.
A critical moment came with the score at 55-53; George Mason had an opportunity to tie, but the momentum shifted when Smikle intercepted the ball from Harris and raced down the court to convert a three-point play with just over three minutes left to play.
Statistically speaking, while Maryland struggled at the free-throw line, George Mason’s performance was even poorer, only managing 3 for 8 from the charity stripe. Additionally, the Terps’ defense held the Patriots to a shooting percentage of 32% from the field.
Looking ahead, George Mason is set to face Navy on Sunday, while Maryland will take on Toledo in their next matchup.
