FAIRFAX, Va. – A strong defensive performance for much of the night Wednesday saw Fordham University women's basketball limit George Mason to its second fewest points in a game this season, but fell 54-47 in the closing stages in Virginia.

Taking on the A-10 conference leaders as a team in scoring margin, Fordham would hold the lead for 9:57 in the first half, taking the lead into the halftime break. The visitors would also limit the Patriots to just over 4:00 minutes with the lead, while never trailing by more than two possessions in the opening half. 

Holding the Patriots to their fewest points scored in a victory this season, Fordham managed to fight back after a strong third quarter by the home side, cutting the lead to single digits in the latter stages of the game.

Taylor Donaldson would pace the Rams with a game high 24 points including five three pointers, while also nabbing three steals and six rebounds. Matilda Flood led the efforts on the glass Wednesday, pulling down eight boards and tallying four points on the night.

Trading baskets back and forth in the early going, George Mason would hold a slim 6-4 lead after a low scoring start to the night for both sides. That back and forth action would continue throughout the opening frame, right down to a Hayford layup as the horn sounded, which tied the score at 13-all after 10 minutes of play.

Scoring three of the first four makes from the floor to open the second quarter, Fordham would go up by as much as six heading into the media timeout in the frame. From there, the Patriots would try to work their way back as the first half came to an end, but strong play by the Rams, saw them hold the A-10 leaders in points per game to just 24 points in the first half.

With the Rams leading by one coming out of the break, it would be George Mason that would open the half on a 9-0 run and take an eight point lead toward the midway portion of the third. Fordham would tack on a couple of makes towards the end of the quarter, but the Patriots would take a 10 point lead into the fourth.

In the final period, the teams would combine for just four baskets in the first seven minutes, before George Mason tallied six free throws down the stretch to pull away a seven point win Wednesday night.

Fordham women's basketball will head back to Virginia for a Saturday night meeting with Richmond at 6:00 p.m.