FAIRFAX, Va. (Interstat) — Two of the nation’s hottest mid-major men’s basketball teams will clash Tuesday night when the Liberty Flames visit the George Mason Patriots in a nonconference showdown.

The Flames (25-7), out of Conference USA, and the Patriots (23-9) of the Atlantic 10 have both posted standout seasons and will look to build momentum ahead of postseason play. Tipoff at EagleBank Arena is set for 7 p.m. EDT on March 17.

Liberty enters having lost three of its last five, including a 77-69 home defeat to Missouri State on March 11. The Flames are led by versatile guard Zach Cleveland, who is coming off a 20-point, four-assist performance in that loss. Over his last eight games, Cleveland is averaging 14.6 points and 5.8 assists per contest, serving as the engine for Liberty’s offense.

George Mason has also stumbled slightly, dropping its last outing 63-57 to Saint Bonaventure on March 12 after a dominant 86-57 win over Saint Louis on March 7. The Patriots counter with their own dynamic guard in Jahari Long. He scored 21 points and dished nine assists in the win over Saint Louis and followed with a team-high 17 points in the loss to the Bonnies.

Both teams feature efficient, guard-oriented attacks, setting the stage for a compelling backcourt battle between Cleveland and Long. Liberty will aim to leverage its experience from a tougher recent schedule, while George Mason seeks to defend its home court and secure a quality win to bolster its resume.

The all-time series between the programs is tied 1-1, with George Mason winning the most recent meeting in 2015. Tuesday’s game marks their first clash in over a decade.