GAME NOTES: The 2015 Atlantic 10 Tournament kicks off on Wednesday evening with a first-round matchup between the 12th-seeded Fordham Rams and the 13th- seeded George Mason Patriots at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The winner will face VCU in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The Rams closed out their regular season with three straight losses, the most recent of which being a 66-52 verdict versus St. Bonaventure last Saturday. The losing streak dropped Fordham's conference record to 4-14, and its overall mark to 9-20.

George Mason ended its regular season with five losses in its final six contests, including a 71-60 setback at VCU on Saturday. The poor performances saddled the Patriots with a 9-21 overall record, which includes a 4-14 league ledger.

This tilt marks just the fifth time these teams will battle it out on the hardwood, with Fordham leading the series, 4-0. The squads last played on Feb. 18 with the Rams coming away with an 80-68 victory.

Fordham converted only 35.2 percent of its field goal tries against the Bonnies over the weekend, including just 21.7 percent from 3-point range. St. Bonaventure connected on 43.4 percent of its field goal attempts and outscored the Rams in the paint (28-16). Mandell Thomas led Fordham in scoring with 20 points, while Manny Suarez grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss.

Eric Paschall is the top scorer for Fordham with 16.5 ppg (sixth in the A-10), while Thomas is second with 13.4 ppg (11th). Ryan Rhoomes leads the Rams in rebounding with 8.9 rpg (fifth). Fordham averages 65.1 ppg and is next-to-last in the league in field goal percentage (.414). The Rams are however, first in the A-10 in free-throw percentage (.726). Defensively, Fordham ranks near the bottom in scoring defense (69.5 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.445). The Rams are in the black in rebounding margin (+3.4), but sit last in the A-10 in turnover margin (-2.14).

George Mason shot an impressive 57.9 percent from the field against VCU the last time out, but was outscored at the free-throw line (19-12) as well as from beyond the arc (21-12). VCU also outscored George Mason off turnovers (24-10) and in second-chance points (14-5). Shevon Thompson finished with a double-double consisting of 16 points and 15 rebounds, with Isaiah Jackson also adding in 16 points in the loss.

Thompson is the Patriots' top scorer with 12.8 ppg, and he ranks first in the conference with 11.5 rpg. George Mason averaged 64.4 ppg during the regular season and converted 42.4 percent of its field goal attempts. Defensively, the Patriots allowed foes to score 69.2 ppg and connect on 43.1 percent of their field goal tries. George Mason is on the positive side of the ledger with regard to rebounding margin (+3.2), but in the red in turnovers (-2.10). The Patriots rank last in the A-10 in assists (10.1).

This appears to be a great matchup to kick off the A-10 tourney, with two teams who are fairly even in terms of talent. The Rams could however. be without Paschall, as he is listed as questionable due to a sprained ankle. Expect him to play given the game's significance, and for Fordham's excellent free-throw shooting to help seal the deal in what should be a close game.