Siena Turns Back Marist-Advances To 2nd Round Of MAAC Tournament

The Saints season goes on, at least  for 1 more day. The Saints  defeated the Marist Red Foxes in the opener of the MAAC tournament 70-64 and now get to face the top seeded Niagara Saturday in round 2.

Led by the big man in the middle O.D. Anosike who tallied 24 points and snared 12 rebounds the Saints get to roll out the basketball for at least 1 more day.

Rob Poole also had a huge ballgame with 19 points, including five 3 point hits. The Saints led by 1 at the break and the game stayed nip and tuck throughout. The 8th seeded Red Foxes had won 3 straight and the Saints were in the midst of another losing skid. However good shooting with forgive some sins and the Saints shot it well on this night.

Marist tied the game at 64 on a 3 point shot by Jay Bowie with 1:43 left. That would be the last basket by the Foxes. Marist missed their next 7 shots. Trenity Burdine who contributed 8 points hit a free throw and then followed a layup and the Saints held on.

Round 2 for Siena is Saturday at the Mass Mutual Arena in Springfield, Mass, when they hook up with the #1 seed Niagara Purple Eagles at 2:30 P.M.

Niagara is 18-12 overall and 13-5 in the MAAC. Included in those 13 wins are a pair of victory's of Siena, 87-64 at home on January 17th and then Niagara defeated Siena in Albany on Jan 25th 78-69.

In other MAAC Tournament action 7th seed Fairfield defeated  10th seed St. Peters 54-47. There are 4 quarterfinal games on Saturday including Siena vs Niagara. The 4 vs 5 matchup has the 4th seeded Gaels of Iona taking on the 5th seed Canisius. Fairfield advances to battle the 2nd seeded Rider Broncs and lastly 3rd seed and defending champs Loyola-Maryland hoops it up with the 6th seed Manhattan Jaspers.