WHERE: EagleBank Arena - Fairfax, Va.
WHEN: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: George Mason (21-5, 9-4), Dayton (16-9, 7-5)
SERIES: George Mason trails, 7-10
TELEVISION: CBS Sports Network
LIVE AUDIO: Click here
LIVE STATS: Click here
TICKETS: Click here
GAME NOTES: Click here (PDF)

PROMOTION: Beach Blackout; Wear Black; First 2000 Fans Receive A Free Black Bucket Hat

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason University men's basketball team (21-5, 9-4) returns home to host Dayton (16-9, 7-5) for a Wednesday night showdown inside EagleBank Arena.

Tip-off between the Patriots and Flyers is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday's game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network, featuring commentary from Tom McCarthy and Chris Walker. In addition, Voice of the Patriots Bill Rohland will call the game on the GoMason Digital Network, with streaming coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m.

PATRIOT POINTS
• The Patriots started 18-1 for the first time in school history and began A-10 play 6-0 for the first time in program annals. GMU is one of just 27 programs nationally to have 21+ wins.

• Since the start of the 2024-25 season, George Mason leads the A-10 and ranks t-14th nationally in total wins (48).

• George Mason is 26-7 (.788) in its last 33 A-10 games dating back to the 2023-24 campaign.

• The Patriots hold a 1.5-game lead for a top-4 spot in the A-10 as the Green & Gold strive for a coveted double bye in next month's Atlantic 10 Championship in Pittsburgh.

• Last time out, the Patriots were outscored in the second half for just the fifth time this season during a 72-53 loss at GW. The Revs held a +17 (40-23) scoring advantage in the final stanza.

• Masai Troutman led GMU vs. GW with a team-high 15 points, his highest scoring output since Dec. 21. Jahari Long added 13 points while Fatt Hill made his first start of the season and dished out a team-best five assists.

• George Mason is 15-1 at home this season and 47-6 (.887) over head coach Tony Skinn's first three campaigns in Fairfax. GMU has won 15 of its past 16 A-10 home contests.

• Free throws have played a factor in George Mason's five losses this season. At the line, GMU makes an average of 8.0 more free throws than their opponent in wins, but are -2.8 free throw makes/game in losses. Entering Wednesday's game, the Patriots rank seventh nationally in free throw rate (.452) while Dayton is second (.474).

• The Patriots committed 11 turnovers in Tuesday's loss. GMU averages 10.2 turnovers in wins and 13.6 in losses this season. George Mason is a perfect 14-0 when winning the turnover battle in 2025-26.

• George Mason's offense has sputtered over the last four games (GMU is 1-3 in those contests). The Patriots are averaging 62.0 points/game, shooting 42.5 percent and averaging 12.5 turnovers. GMU also is making 10.5 free throws/game, well down from the team's season average of 17.8.

• The Patriots are the fastest George Mason team ever to win 20 games (in 22 chances). The previous record of 25 games was set in 2024-25, 2010-11, 2005-06 and 1983-84.

• The Patriots enter Wednesday's game ranked 89th in the NET. GMU also is No. 95 in KenPom.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
Freshman guard Isaiah Skinn and head coach Tony Skinn ('06) make up one of 21 father-son combos in NCAA Div. I college basketball this season. They are one of three father-son tandems in the Atlantic 10, joining Makai and Anthony Grant (Dayton) and Jaden and Josh Schertz (Saint Louis). The head coach is an alum of the institution at five of the 21 programs (Dayton, George Mason, North Carolina, Ohio, St. Thomas).

HISTORY vs. DAYTON
Wednesday's matchup marks the 18th all-time meeting between George Mason and Dayton. Dayton holds a 10-7 advantage in the series, although the Patriots have won the last four matchups. The teams have split eight all time meetings in Fairfax. In addition to their league battles, the two programs also played a four year home-and-home series from 2007-2010, before the Patriots joined the A-10 in 2013-14.

Last season, the Patriots won 67-59 at UD Arena on Jan. 15, 2025. The victory snapped Dayton's 26-game home win streak. The last time the two teams faced off inside EagleBank Arena, George Mason knocked off #16/16 Dayton, 71-67, on Feb. 21, 2024, to earn the first home win over a top-25 team in school history. It also marked the highest ranked regular season win in program annals.

A LOOK AT THE FLYERS (16-9, 7-5 A-10; NET #89, KenPom #91)
Dayton was picked to finish third in the A-10 Preseason Poll and received a trio of first place votes. The Flyers went 9-4 in non-conference play, highlighted by top-100 wins over Georgetown and Florida State. Dayton is 7-5 to begin A-10 play and is coming off a 70-59 home win over Davidson Sunday. UD features the nation's No. 51 defense (1.015 points/possession allowed). Much of that defensive prowess comes from creating chaos, as the Flyers rank ninth nationally in turnovers forced/game (15.64) and 21st in steals/contest (9.1). Javon Bennett leads Dayton in scoring (15.7 ppg) and dishes out a team-best 3.2 assists/contest. De'Shayne Montgomery adds 14.9 points/contest, shoots 37.9 percent from 3pt range and is seventh nationally with 2.63 steals/game. Amael L'Etang chips in 11.2 points and a team-high 5.6 rebounds/game for head coach Anthony Grant.

UP NEXT
George Mason enjoys a bye weekend before returning to action next Wednesday (Feb. 28) at Saint Joseph's. Tip-off in Philadelphia between the Patriots and Hawks is set for 7 p.m. The game will be streamed nationally on ESPN+.