GAME NOTES: Still sporting a perfect home record through nine games this season, the George Mason Patriots try to keep that mark unblemished tonight as they host fellow Colonial Athletic Association member Virginia Commonwealth. George Mason took a four-game win streak into this past weekend, but a meeting with UNC-Wilmington did not turn out as planned and GMU bowed by three points on the road, 61-58. The setback dropped GMU to 6-3 in conference but still leaves the group within striking distance of league leading VCU which stands at 8-1 entering play this week. The Rams won their seventh consecutive game on Saturday evening with a 76-62 triumph over Drexel at home, Dating back to December, VCU has lost just a single tilt and that was a one-point decision to James Madison on the road to begin the new calendar year. With respect to the all-time series between these two schools on the hardwood, VCU boosted its advantage over the Patriots with a 65-59 victory during last year's CAA Tournament in Richmond. The Rams are now ahead by a count of 25-14.

The Rams went from shooting just 30.4 percent from the field in the first half of their game against Drexel to 59.3 percent following the break. Additionally, VCU made good on all but two of their 16 free-throw attempts in the second half as well. Aside from Larry Sanders who finished with nine points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots, every starter scored in double figures for the group, beginning with Eric Maynor and his 20 points. Jamal Shuler chipped in with 17 points and eight boards, while Michael Anderson and Joey Rodriguez logged 10 points apiece. Except for the meeting against Arkansas in the fourth game of the season, the leading scorer for this bunch has either been Maynor or Shuler, with the pair currently posting 18.3 ppg and 16.1 ppg, respectively. They both are shooting better than 42 percent from three-point range and play tight at the defensive end, which has limited opponents to just 38 percent from the floor, 25.5 percent beyond the arc and an average of 59.1 ppg.

John Vaughan and Folarin Campbell both converted 3-of-7 shots behind the three-point line on Saturday, finishing with 19 and 17 points, respectively, but it still wasn't enough for George Mason to get by UNC-Wilmington on the road. The other three starters, Louis Birdsong, Will Thomas and Dre Smith combined to shoot just 5-of-21 from the field for 11 total points, although Thomas did have his way on the glass with 14 rebounds. As a result of his efforts, Thomas is now averaging a double-double with his 15.8 ppg and an even 10.0 rpg, both of which lead the program. Vaughan checks in with 14.5 ppg and Campbell adds 13.2 ppg and a team-best 67 assists which makes the trio one of the most well-rounded in the CAA.

Playing at home has been a huge factor in the success of both these teams this season, so expect it to carry through to tonight and give the Patriots just what they need to survive.