WHEN: Wednesday, 8 p.m. (ET)
WHERE: McLeod Center, Cedar Falls, Iowa
RECORDS: Mason (4-3), Northern Iowa (3-2)
SERIES RECORD: UNI leads, 3-2
LAST MEETING: UNI def. Mason, 73-65, on 12/8/15 at Mason
LIVE STATS: Click Here
ESPN3/WatchESPN:
Click Here
RADIO: GoMason Digital Network
GAME NOTES: Click Here (PDF)
FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's basketball team plays its first road game of the young season Wednesday night when the Patriots travel to Cedar Falls for a matchup with Northern Iowa.
Tip-off between Mason and UNI is scheduled for 8 p.m. (ET) inside the McLeod Center. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN3/WatchESPN. In addition, Bill Rohland has the call on the GoMason Digital Network, with pregame coverage beginning at 7:45 p.m.
• Mason is in the midst of a three-game winning streak. The Patriots wrapped up the Gulf Coast Showcase with victories over Kent State (79-75) on Nov. 22 and Bradley (77-66) on Nov. 23. The Patriots then returned home to defeat James Madison, 80-77, in overtime on Saturday in EagleBank Arena.
• Senior
Marquise Moore was named College Sports Madness Atlantic 10 Player of the Week after averaging 18.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game during a 3-1 week for the Patriots.
• Moore leads the A-10 in defensive rebounds per game (7.7) and is second in overall rebounding (9.3/game). The Queens, N.Y., product also is one of only 14 players nationally to have posted at least four-double doubles in 2016-17. Moore and UCLA's Lonzo Ball are the only two guards in the nation with 4+ double-doubles.
• Mason's three-game winning streak can be attributed in part to an improved shooting touch and contributions from a number of players on the roster. Leading up to the streak, Mason was shooting 19.7 percent (12-61) from 3-point range and 64.7 percent (55-85) from the free throw line. Those numbers have increased to 34 percent (18-53) from deep and 74.7 percent (62-83) from the line during the successful stretch.
• In addition, freshman guard
Justin Kier averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds over the season's first four games, but is up to 8.0 points and 7.3 rebounds/game during the 3-game winning streak. Fellow freshman
Karmari Newman also has jumped up from 2.5 ppg (.091 3pt FG%) to 7.0 ppg (.385 3pt FG%).
Northern Iowa Series History
Wednesday's game marks the sixth all-time meeting between Mason and UNI. Mason is 2-3 all time against the Panthers.
First matchup: 2/19/11 (W at UNI, 77-71)
Most recent matchup: 12/8/15 (L at Mason, 73-65)
Foul Line and UNI
11/16/13:
Marko Gujanicic goes 10/10 from the free throw line in a 76-70 win vs. Northern Iowa, part of a 4-0 start for the Patriots.
2/19/11: Ryan Pearson shoots 13/13 from the free throw line in a 77-71 win on the road vs. Northern Iowa, marking the Patriots' 13th straight win and 23rd overall of the season.
Scouting The Panthers
The Panthers were picked third in the Missouri Valley preseason poll behind Wichita State and Illinois State. UNI is 3-2 on the year. The team picked up wins over Power 5 schools Arizona State (82-63) and Oklahoma (73-67 OT) in the Tire Pros Invitational Nov. 17-18, while both losses have come at the hands of seventh-ranked Xavier. MVC Preseason Player of the Year Jeremy Morgan leads UNI in scoring (16.4 points/game), rebounding (6.8 rebounds/game), steals (19), blocks (13), assists (13), field goals made (24), free throws made (17) and three-pointers made (17). Historically, the Panthers have been particularly tough at home during the non-conference slate. UNI is 26-1 all-time in November games inside the McLeod Center and 56-10 overall in out of league contests in the building.
Up Next
Mason returns home for a matchup against mid-major power Mercer on Saturday (Dec. 3) at 4 p.m.
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