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 Just Another Manic Monday
March 8, 2010
ALBANY, N.Y. - Top-seeded Siena goes for its third straight MAAC Tournament title this evening when it hosts #2 seed Fairfield in a 7 p.m. tip here at Times Union Center. The winner of the game gets the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's automatic berth into the field of 65 for the NCAA Tournament. Tonight's game will be nationally televised on ESPN2 with Bob Wischusen and Tim Welsh on the call. The game can also be heard locally on the Talk 1300 Siena Basketball Radio Network and online at SienaSaints.com. Robert Lee and Tom Huerter have the call beginning with the pregame show at 6 p.m. The Saints (26-6) are making their fourth straight appearance in the MAAC Championship game. Siena defeated #9 seed Manhattan in the quarterfinals on Saturday 78-61 and #5 seed Rider in last night's semifinals 72-62 to arrive at this point. With a win tonight, Siena would capture its fifth MAAC Championship with all of them coming in the last 11 years. Meanwhile Fairfield (22-9) won its quarterfinal game with #7 seed Canisius 67-57 on Friday and advanced to the MAAC Championship with a 69-63 triumph over sixth seeded Niagara in a semifinals matchup last night. Fairfield is playing in its first MAAC Title game in seven years when it lost the 2003 MAAC Championship to Manhattan. Overall, its the Stags sixth title game appearance, with Fairfield having won the MAAC Championship three previous times (1986, 1987, 1997).
Siena swept the two meetings this season with Fairfield, defeating the Stags in Bridgeport 81-73 on Jan. 16 and here in Albany by a 69-67 score on Feb. 8. Siena has won five straight against the Stags and holds a 5-1 margin all-time in the MAAC Tournament. Overall, Siena leads the all-time series 29-23. |
