FAIRFAX, Va. – Elena Delle Donne scored 18 of her 31 points in the first half and also grabbed nine rebounds in leading No. 18 Delaware past George Mason 69-55 Tuesday night for its 18th straight win.
Delle Donne scored 10 points during a decisive 21-8 Delaware (23-3, 14-0) run to close the half, giving the Blue Hens a 41-24 lead.
Delle Donne jumped up two spots on the NCAA all-time career points list, finishing the night in 20th place with 2,758.
Delaware has now won 34 straight Colonial Athletic Association games and has beaten George Mason four straight times.
Amber Easter led George Mason (8-16, 3-10) with 14 points.
The Patriots never pulled closer than 10 points in the second half despite Delaware going 6:46 without a made field goal at one point.
Delaware outshot George Mason 44.4 percent (24 for 54) to 33.9 percent (21 for 62).
George Mason attempted eight more field goals than the Blue Hens thanks in large part to a 19-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. Delaware was outrebound 40-36, just the fourth time in 14 conference games that has happened this season.
"Obviously I'm happy we won the game because it's better to win the game and not play well then to lose a game," Coach Martin said in her post game remarks that seemed far more fitting for the losing coach.
"I didn't think our effort was there tonight. I felt like George Mason out hustled us tonight, which bothers me a great deal."
In her climb up the record book, Delle Donne passed Courtney Paris (Oklahoma) and Karen Pelphrey (Marshall). The senior forward did most of her damage on the inside, going 11-of-22 shooting and a near perfect 8-of-9 from the foul line.
"Elena is really special; she's very skilled and does a lot of great things," Coach Martin said with her star pupil seated beside her.
"I've been blessed to coach her. When she retires she'll look back on it and enjoy every second of it but right now our main focus is on winning a championship."
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