FAIRFAX (Interstat) — The Akron Zips will visit the George Mason Patriots in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Va. Akron is the visiting team and brings an 0-1 record. George Mason is the home team and is 1-0. The Zips are seeking their first victory of the season, while the Patriots are aiming to build on their opening win.

Akron will look to rebound from a narrow 75-74 loss to South Alabama in its most recent game. Macey Fegan is the player to watch for the Zips after finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds in 30 minutes against South Alabama. Tyla Heard added 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes, while Jessie Joaquim contributed eight points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes. Akron will need production from that group again against a George Mason team that opened with a high-scoring win.

George Mason defeated Temple 91-71 in its most recent game. Mary Amoateng is the player to watch for the Patriots after scoring 21 points and adding four rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes. Summer Yancy added 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 31 minutes, and Anovia Sheals scored 17 points with four rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes. The Patriots will rely on Amoateng’s scoring and playmaking as they face Akron at home.

The matchup features two teams in the early stages of the season. Akron will aim to use Fegan’s scoring and rebounding to control the interior and keep the game close on the road. George Mason will counter with Amoateng and a supporting cast that produced a balanced effort in its opening victory. The Zips and Patriots will meet Thursday at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Va., with Akron serving as the visitor and George Mason as the home team. Both programs will continue nonconference play after this game, with Akron’s upcoming schedule including road games at Xavier, Mercyhurst, West Virginia, Youngstown State, Louisville and Ohio State, and home games against Robert Morris, Yale, Cleveland State and Duquesne. George Mason’s upcoming slate includes road games at Maryland, Army, Princeton, Longwood, La Salle and Liberty, along with games against North Carolina Central, James Madison, Vermont and Providence.

Fegan’s 30-minute performance included a double-double. Amoateng’s effort against Temple came in 27 minutes and helped the Patriots open the season with a 20-point win. George Mason also received double-figure scoring from Yancy and Sheals.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Akron 64, George Mason 63.