WHERE: Savage Arena - Toledo, Ohio
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m. 
RECORDS: George Mason (6-1), Toledo (3-3)
SERIES: Toledo leads, 3-2
LAST MEETING: Mason def. Toledo, 80-76, on Dec. 3, 2022, in Fairfax, Va.
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FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason University men's basketball team (6-1) begins a two-game road trip with a Saturday night contest against Toledo in the Glass City.

Tip-off between the Patriots and Rockets is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+. In addition, Bill Rohland will call the game on the GoMason Digital Network, with streaming coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m.

PATRIOT POINTS
• The Patriots are 6-1 to begin the season, which matches the 2019-20 squad for the best start over the past 15 campaigns. That team began the season 11-1.

• Most recently, Mason knocked off NJIT, 86-68, on Wednesday night in Fairfax. The Patriots held a +17 (54-37) scoring advantage in the second half.

• Mason shot a season-best 56.3 percent (9-16) from 3pt range in the win. It marked the Patriots' best 3pt mark in a game since a 60.0 percent performance (15-25) at La Salle on Feb. 5, 2022.

• The Patriots are shooting 42.4 percent from deep (28-66) and making 9.3 triples/contest over the past three games. Mason ranks second in the A-10 and 42nd in the nation in 3pt FG percentage (.384).

• Preseason All-Atlantic 10 selection Ronald Polite III notched season highs in points (18), assists (6) and steals (3) against the Highlanders. He's averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals and shooting 60.0 percent (12-20) over the past two games.

• Senior Darius Maddox led Mason with 17 points (7-12 FG) against NJIT. He's averaging 18.0 points, 3.0 assists and shooting 53.8 percent from the floor over the past two games.

• Graduate forward Amari Kelly notched his second double-double of the season and third of his career (11 pts, 11 reb) against the Highlanders. He's scored 10+ points in six of seven games this season.

• The Patriots lead the A-10 in scoring defense (62.2 ppg) and are second in rebounding margin (+6.3).

• The Green & Gold dished out a season-best 18 assists vs. ECU. Mason is averaging 17.0 assists/game over the past two contests.

• Sophomore Keyshawn Hall ranks sixth nationally in double-doubles (4) and defensive rebounds/game (8.6) and is 29th in overall rebounding (9.7/game). He leads the A-10 in all three of those categories. Hall played just 22 minutes vs. NJIT due to foul trouble (8 pts, 3 reb).

• The Patriots held NJIT to just 8-of-30 (.267) from 2pt range Wednesday. Mason ranks fifth nationally in 2pt FG defense (.388).

• Head coach Tony Skinn's 6-1 record also is the best-ever start by a Mason first-year head coach.

• George Mason men's and women's basketball are off to the best combined start in school history (13-1). Mason is one of just eight schools to have 13+ combined wins to this point in the season. The elite group includes Mississippi State (14), Santa Clara (14), Marquette (13), TCU (13), Texas (13), Texas Tech (13) and Washington St. (13).

LOOK! I'M WOODY - HOWDY, HOWDY, HOWDY
Senior Woody Newton has provided a spark all season long off the bench for the Patriots. Over the past two games, the Oklahoma State transfer is averaging 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals while shooting 66.7 percent (4-6) from beyond the arc. On the year, he's a sizzling 10-of-16 (.625) from 3pt range. Newton also is tied for the team lead in steals (6) and is second in blocks (5) and offensive rebounds (10).

HISTORY vs. MAC OPPONENTS
The Patriots have posted an 8-13 (.381) record in 21 all-time games against teams currently in the Mid-American Conference. Mason's most common opponent is the Rockets (2-3), following by Kent State (1-2). In the most recent matchup with a MAC foe, the Patriots knocked off Toledo, 80-76, on Dec. 3 last season inside EagleBank Arena.

HISTORY vs. TOLEDO
Saturday's game marks the sixth all time contest between George Mason and Toledo in men's basketball. The Rockets hold a 3-2 lead in the series , although Mason has won both games played in Toledo. In the most recent matchup, Mason won the first half of the current home-and-home series, 80-76, on Dec. 3, 2022, in Fairfax. Ronald Polite III contributed nine points and two assists in the win, while Malik Henry added eight points (4-5 FG) and seven rebounds.

A LOOK AT THE ROCKETS (3-3, 0-0 MAC; KenPom #113)
Toledo was picked to finish fourth in the 2023-24 MAC preseason poll and is off to a 3-3 start. The Rockets have played the nation's 48th-toughest schedule to date and sport the country's 57th most efficient offense (1.119 points/possession). Toledo ranks 17th nationally in turnovers forced/game (17.0) and 30th in turnover margin (+4.5). Offensively, the Rockets rank 10th in the country in 3pt FG percentage (.404) and are 38th in overall FG percentage (.493). Ra'Heim Moss leads Toledo in scoring (16.7 ppg) and rebounding (5.2 rpg) and shoots 53.1 percent from the floor. Dante Maddox Jr. adds 13.3 points/contest while Javan Simmons also averages double figures (12.5 ppg). Sonny Wilson averages 9.0 points, 3.0 assists and leads the MAC in assist/turnover ratio (2.25).

UP NEXT
Mason continues its road trip with a marquee contest against No. 10 Tennessee on Tuesday (Dec. 5) in Knoxville. Tip-off between the Patriots and Volunteers is set for 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SECN+.