Siena will travel to play Hofstra in a BracketBusters game. Again. The Saints and Pride will meet in Hempstead on Saturday, February 18 at 4 p.m. – five years to the day after Hofstra topped the Saints, 76-62, at home in Siena’s first BracketBusters appearance.

The Pride are 7-16 on the year, 1-10 in the CAA. They boast impressive home wins over Cleveland State (63-53) and Iona (83-75), but have dropped nine of their last 10 contests, all in conference.

As part of the BracketBusters agreement, Siena will host Hofstra during either the 2012-13 or 2013-14 season. “We’re excited to renew our rivalry with Hofstra, one of the top Mid-Major programs in the Northeast,” head coach Mitch Buonaguro said. “It’s a great game for us, and I know it’s an opponent our fans will look forward to seeing at Times Union Center.”

This is the seventh straight year Siena has participated in the BracketBusters event. Last year, Siena defeated Maine 71-60 at home. In 2010, the Saints lost to eventual National Runner-Up Butler 70-53 in the premier matchup of the event at Hinkle Fieldhouse. In 2009, Siena defeated Northern Iowa 81-75 at Times Union Center on ESPN2 in a game that helped earn the Saints' a #9 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

In 2008, Siena was sent to Boise State to play a BracketBusters game on ESPN360 (now ESPN3). The Saints shook off the cross country journey to post a 93-70 triumph, and didn't lose again until the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. Siena is 3-2 all-time in BracketBusters games having defeated James Madison in 2007 (77-66), after losing to Hofstra in 2006.

Hofstra is 3-0 against the Saints all-time with the last meeting coming in the 2006-07 season at Siena, an 84-80 win for the Pride.

The preceding was provided by Jason Rich, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications at Siena College.

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