Saturday, November 22nd, 4:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum (8,000) -- Greenville, North Carolina. Television: None. Home Record: GMU 1-0, ECU 3-0. Away Record: GMU 1-1, ECU 0-0. Neutral Record: GMU 0-0, ECU 0-0. Conference Record: GMU 0-0, ECU 0-0. Series Record: George Mason leads, 32-14.

GAME NOTES: The East Carolina Pirates host the fourth of five straight games in Greenville today, as they take on the George Mason Patriots in non- conference action. The Pirates' homestand couldn't have gotten off to a better start, as they have won all their games for their first 3-0 start since the 2003-04 season. However, only one of the team's three victories has come against a Division I opponent and that was an 86-65 triumph over Campbell on Wednesday. ECU will wrap up its homestand against Virginia Commonwealth on Tuesday. As for GMU, it enters the tilt fresh off its first loss of the season, a 50-44 setback at Hampton on Thursday. It was certainly a poor offensive showing for the Patriots, who opened their season with a pair of home wins over Vermont (80-79, OT) and Brown (89-52). GMU though, does lead the all-time series with ECU, 32-14, although the Pirates snapped a seven-game slide to the Patriots with a 68-65 victory last season.

The Patriots struggled to make shots all night long in their loss to Hampton on Thursday, hitting on just 33.3 percent of their tries from the floor. The team didn't find much success from beyond the arc either, converting on only 2-of-17 chances. Making three-pointers have been an issue early on for GMU, which is shooting just 26.8 percent from downtown on the year. Louis Birdsong paced the team in defeat with 15 points and eight boards, while Darryl Monroe notched a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The duo however, accounted for 13 of the team's whopping 23 turnovers. On the year, Monroe leads the Patriots with his double-double average of 12.7 ppg and 10.7 ppg and he is also shooting 65.0 percent from the field. John Vaughan, who was limited to just four points by Hampton, ranks second on the club with 11.3 ppg this season.

The Pirates made good on 42.4 percent of their shots from the field and 28- of-34 at the charity stripe, as they cruised past Campbell on Wednesday. The team also forced 19 turnovers, generating 23 points off those miscues. James Legan led the charge with 24 points and six boards, while Brock Young had 18 points and six assists. Sam Hinnant got into the mix with 16 points and seven assists and Chad Wynn rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points. On the year, Legan leads the team in scoring with 17.7 ppg, but he is trailed closely by Hinnant and his 17.0 ppg average. Young chips in with 11.3 ppg for the Pirates, who are outscoring their opponents by 24.0 ppg on the year.

ECU isn't nearly as good as it has shown early on, but the Pirates have built up enough confidence and momentum to pull out the win today.

Predicted Outcome

East Carolina 71, George Mason 66