FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason will host six opponents at the Patriot Center and play five road matchups as the 2012-13 non-conference women's basketball schedule has been released by fifth-year head coach Jeri Porter. The 11-game slate features an in-season tournament for the first time since 2005-06 as the Patriots travel to New Mexico State to take part in the Aggie Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Tournament.

"I am extremely pleased with our non-conference schedule for the upcoming season," stated Porter. "It produces a wealth of challenges and gives us the opportunity to compete against several teams in leagues comparable to the CAA. Our goal this season is to be much more competitive on the road and to play with the mental toughness that will allow us to enjoy the same success that we have had in the Patriot Center over the last few years."

Following a home exhibition against Davis & Elkins on Friday, November 2, the Patriots will kick off the season traveling to Rochester, Michigan to face Oakland on Nov. 9. The Patriots and Golden Grizzlies met for the first time last season in Fairfax with Mason taking the decision, 59-48. A pair of home contests follows as Mason returns to Fairfax on Nov. 13 for its home opener against UMES before welcoming Morgan State on Nov. 16. Leading the all-time series 4-0, Mason last faced UMES on December 30, 1997, while last meeting Morgan State in the opener of the 2000-01 season, defeating the Bears 71-48. Mason has won the last four meetings against Morgan State and owns a 7-1 all-time series advantage, including a 4-0 record in Fairfax.

After the conclusion of the two-game homestand, Mason will travel to New Mexico State for the Aggie Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Tournament, Nov. 23-24. Mason is one of four teams in the tournament field as Drake, a WNIT team last season, UC Irvine and host New Mexico State, which has won four of its five Thanksgiving tournaments since its 2007-08 inception, complete the bracket. The Patriots face the Aggies on Friday to open the tournament and Saturday competition will feature the championship and consolation games resulting from Friday's contests.

Mason opens the month of December hosting the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Dec. 2, meeting the Blazers for only the second time in program history as the teams faced each other on November 27, 1999. The Akron Zips visit the Patriot Center on Dec. 5 in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

The Patriots then visit perennial powerhouse and defending Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Champions Maryland on Dec. 8. The Terrapins reached the Elite Eight in the 2011-12 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament for the fifth time in program history and finished the season 31-5 overall, including a win in Fairfax on Dec. 11. Following the two-week exam break, Mason makes the short trip to George Washington on Dec. 22 and returns to action following a break for the holidays on Dec. 29, hosting Southern Conference foe Georgia Southern for the first time in program history.

The Patriots close out non-conference play when Mason and former CAA member East Carolina meet for the first time since 2003, opening the New Year in Fairfax on January 2.