Saturday, March 1st, 2:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Matthews Arena (6,000) -- Boston, Massachusetts. Television: Comcast. Home Record: GMU 13-1, Northeastern 6-3. Away Record: GMU 5-6, Northeastern 6-13. Neutral Record: GMU 2-2, Northeastern 0-0. Conference Record: GMU 12-5, Northeastern 8-9. Series Record: George Mason leads, 6-4.

GAME NOTES: The regular season will close for two teams when the Northeastern Wildcats host the George Mason Patriots this afternoon at Matthews Arena. George Mason is currently 12-5 in Colonial Athletic Association action and will have the luxury of a first-round bye in the CAA tournament. The Patriots are coming off a slim, 60-54 victory over William & Mary this past Wednesday. The majority of the team's struggles have occurred on the road, as GMU is just 5-6 away from home. As for the Huskies, they have lost four consecutive games, including a 70-58 setback to Old Dominion earlier this week. The recent slide has dropped Northeastern's league ledger to a mere 8-9 on the season. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools on the hardwood, the Patriots hold a slim, 6-4 edge over Northeastern and that includes GMU's convincing, 80-52 victory over the Huskies earlier this season.

The Patriots have used solid play at the defensive end of the floor throughout the season and are currently limiting the opposition to just 63.2 ppg. That tenacity continued this past Wednesday, as the squad held William & Mary to just 54 points in a six-point victory. At the other end of the court, the team was paced by Folarin Campbell, who scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds. Campbell has been outstanding throughout the season and is netting 15.4 ppg to go along with 4.5 rpg and 98 assists. John Vaughan posted 15 points in the win, while Cam Long contributed 12 points. As for the team's leading scorer and rebounder, Will Thomas (16.0 ppg and 10.4 rpg), he struggled in the victory, finishing with just 10 points and eight rebounds.

The main problem for the Huskies since day one of the season has been a lack of offensive production. The team is currently scoring just 63.2 ppg, while shooting a mere 41.1 percent from the floor. Matt Janning has been the only real scoring threat for Northeastern, as the guard is posting 16.0 ppg. Nkem Ojougboh has been the main option in the paint, as the forward is chipping in 10.4 ppg to go along with a team-best 6.8 rpg. The offensive struggles for Northeastern continued in the team's recent loss to ODU, as the squad only posted 58 points in the 12-point setback. The Huskies shot a mere 36.4 percent from the field and also struggled from behind the arc, netting just 9-of-26 attempts from long range. Janning led the way with 14 points in the loss, while Ojougboh, Chaisson Allen and Eugene Spates each tallied 11 points apiece.

The Patriots are too tough at both ends of the floor, and should have little trouble grabbing a victory over the Huskies. Northeastern might keep the game close to start, but not even playing on its home floor will help the team in this one.

Predicted Outcome

George Mason 73, Northeastern 58