Sunday, March 9th, 5:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Richmond Coliseum (11,200) -- Richmond, Virginia. Television: CN8. Home Record: GMU 13-1, UNCW 12-3. Away Record: GMU 5-7, UNCW 5-9. Neutral Record: GMU 3-2, UNCW 3-0. Conference Record: GMU 12-6, UNCW 12-6. Series Record: George Mason leads, 31-30.

GAME NOTES: A chance to advance to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament finals is on the line tonight, as the second-seeded UNC-Wilmington Seahawks collide with the third-seeded George Mason Patriots at the Richmond Coliseum. After enjoying a first-round bye, the Patriots were pitted against Northeastern in the quarterfinals, and came away with a strong, 63-52 victory. It was the 24th CAA tournament win for GMU, which is one step away from returning to the title game. As for the Seahawks, they also were excused from first round action, as the team grabbed the second-seed with a 12-6 league ledger. The team drew seven-seed Delaware in the quarterfinals, and easily disposed of the Fightin' Blue Hens by an 82-59 margin. It was the second consecutive win for UNCW, which is now 30-19 in CAA postseason play. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools, the Patriots have a slim, 31-30 edge over UNCW. However, the Seahawks won both meetings this season, although the victories came by a combined five points.

The Patriots did just enough offensively to slip past the Huskies in quarterfinal play yesterday. GMU shot 54.8 percent from the field and made 17- of-24 attempts from the foul line. Folarin Campbell paced the team with 20 points in the win, while Will Thomas added 17 points to go along with eight rebounds. Thomas and Campbell have been the top two performers for GMU all year, and are one of the most dangerous duos in the CAA. Thomas is currently averaging a double-double with 16.0 ppg and 10.3 rpg, while Campbell is chipping in 15.8 ppg to go along with a team-best 104 assists. As a team, the Patriots come into this semifinal contest producing 70.5 ppg, while shooting 46.9 percent from the floor.

The Seahawks dominated the Blue Hen from start to finished yesterday, scoring 82 points en route to the lopsided 23-point win. UNCW shot a strong 56.5 percent from the field in the contest and also connected on 22-of-29 shots from the charity stripe. Daniel Fountain led five players in double figures with 18 points and also grabbed eight rebounds. Fountain has been one of the main scoring options for UNCW this season, netting 12.9 ppg. Chad Tomko added 17 points in the win over Delaware, while Vladimir Kuljanin posted 14 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists. Kuljanin has also been very productive on the season, posting 12.9 ppg to go along with a team-best 9.9 rpg. Dominique Lacy and Todd Hendley also finished strong against the Blue Hens, chipping in 12 and 10 points, respectively. As for the team's top scorer, T.J. Carter (16.2 ppg), he struggled in the win, netting just five points. Throughout the year, UNCW has been one of the tougher teams offensively, averaging 73.6 ppg, while shooting a solid 47.7 percent from the floor.

This will likely be an exciting back-and-fourth battle between two of the toughest teams in the CAA. The Seahawks defeated GMU twice this season, but look for the Patriots to finally get their act together, as they move on to the title game.

Predicted Outcome

George Mason 75, UNC-Wilmington 73