GAME NOTES: A couple of Atlantic 10 Conference programs seeking just a second league victory get together at the Patriot Center on Thursday night, as George Mason entertains the Saint Louis Billikens.

The teams entered the week tied for 11th place in the standings with a mark of 1-5, but the good news for the Billikens is that they have a chance to even their overall record at 10-10 with a favorable outcome this evening on the road. Unfortunately, Saint Louis has been roughed up quite a bit since the start of the new calendar year, winning just one of six decisions, a 78-69 triumph over Duquesne at home just over two weeks ago.

More recently, the Billikens were handed their second straight setback in a narrow 63-61 final versus nationally-ranked VCU at home last Friday.

As for the Patriots, their skid has reached five straight games and the program has just six total victories in 2014-15. Last weekend, George Mason hosted Davidson and made it to overtime before being handed an 80-73 setback.

The Billikens came out on top of both previous encounters between the squads last season, going to overtime both in Missouri and Virginia.

Saint Louis nearly pulled off the unthinkable last week at Chaifetz Arena, fighting through 11 ties and 10 lead changes against one of the top teams in the country, but in the end the Billikens bent just a little too much and allowed the game-winning score with under one second on the clock. Milik Yarbrough and Austin McBroom kept the hosts in contention with 15 and 12 points, respectively, but the team ended up committing 14 turnovers and shooting only 3-of-13 behind the 3-point line.

Yarbrough tends to be the player the Billikens look for on offense, particularly in league play, as he averages 15.2 ppg on 54.5 percent shooting from the floor. He is also one of the better rebounders for the group with 5.8 rpg, trailing only Ash Yacoubou (10.3 ppg) who is pulling down 6.2 rpg. The Billikens are scoring only 60.5 ppg in league play, partly due to the fact that they've managed to convert a weak 57.8 percent of their attempts at the free-throw line.

The Patriots were able to get their meeting with Davidson to overtime, but once there the offense stalled, shooting only 2-of-11 from the field. Marquise Moore accounted for 18 points for the hosts, while Shevon Thompson recorded a double-double consisting of 15 points and a game-high 15 rebounds as the team ruled the glass, 43-35, and claimed 16 rebounds at the offensive end of the floor. Isaiah Jackson responded with 11 points, but he made only 5-of-15 shots from the field.

More often than not, Thompson has been the top offensive threat for a George Mason group that is having a hard time coming up with positive outcomes. He not only paces the Patriots with 13.2 ppg, he is first on the glass as well with 11.4 rpg, making him one of only a handful of players in the nation averaging a double-double. However, as great as Thompson plays in the paint, even by accident he should have more than just a single assist this far into the campaign.

Without much scoring punch up and down the roster, the Patriots are certainly at a disadvantage even being at home this week. The Billikens could have a slight let down after the close call with VCU, but still Saint Louis should land in the win column once more.