NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The George Mason women's basketball team earned the No. 9 seed for the 2023 Atlantic 10 Tournament beginning on March 1, as announced by the league.
 
The Patriots (15-14, 8-8) earned a first round bye with the No. 9 seeding, ultimately setting up a rematch with the La Salle Explorers on Thursday, March 2 at 11 a.m., which will be streamed on ESPN+. The eighth-seeded Explorers finished the regular season at 8-7.
 
Massachusetts and Rhode Island shared the regular-season title as Atlantic 10 Co-Champions, as the two teams both finished the regular season at 14-2. By virtue of a tie-breaker, UMass received the No. 1 overall seed with Rhode Island taking the No. 2 seed. Joining UMass and URI with double-byes are third-seeded Saint Louis (10-6) and fourth-seeded Fordham (10-6) and all four will open their tournament in the Quarterfinals on Friday, March 3.
 
Joining Mason and La Salle on Thursday with first-round byes are fifth-seeded Richmond (8-6), sixth-seeded Saint Joseph's (9-7) and seventh-seeded George Washington (9-7), who will all take on the winners of the first three opening-round games on Wednesday, March 1.
 
The Patriots' eight Atlantic 10 wins are the most since the 2018-19 season when they also won eight, earning the No. 7 seed in the tournament. Mason fell in the opening round to No. 10 UMass at home in overtime, 86-80.
 
In the 10 seasons that Mason has been a member of the Atlantic 10, this is the first time that a team has earned an opening round bye.
 
The Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship game is slated for Sunday, March 5 at 12 p.m. and will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU. For more information on the entire Atlantic 10 Tournament, click here.