Aug. 12, 2002

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena released its 2002-2003 men's basketball non-conference schedule today, a listing that includes home dates with the University at Albany, University of Northern Iowa, University of Delaware and national powers Xavier University and Providence College. Highlighting the away dates are games at Fordham University and University of Toledo and a two-day Tournament hosted by Montana State University.

"This year's schedule reinforces are commitment to bring top quality Division I basketball to our loyal fan base in the Capital Region," Athletic Director John D'Argenio said. "This promises to be one of our most challenging and exciting home schedules in some time. To have five non-conference home games with just four on the road is a testament to our student athletes, the fans and the Pepsi Arena."

The Saints open the season with cross-town rival Albany in the second meeting of a three-year deal. Last year's game with the Great Danes saw a season-high 10,285 fans come through the turnstiles.

Northern Iowa, a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, comes to town on November 30, breaking up road trips to Atlantic 10 foe Fordham and Mid American member Toledo. The remaining portion of the home schedule includes three games with teams whose combined RPI has been under 100 the past two years.

Siena takes on Delaware on December 21, just two days before Xavier returns its home-and-home agreement with a visit to Pepsi Arena. The Musketeers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season and finished the year ranked 22nd in the Associated Press Poll. With Preseason All-American David West and local product Lionel Chalmers returning, some polls rate Xavier as high as 12th (ESPN's Sizzling 50) in their preseason rankings this year.

Following the Christmas Holiday, the Saints travel to Bozeman, Montana where they will play Loyola Marymount in the first round of the two-day Bearcat Invitational. The non-conference schedule concludes on January 3, as the Green and Gold take on Providence in a Saturday night game.

"We hope the fans are as excited as we are to have such quality opponents coming to our home court this winter," said Head Men's Basketball Coach Rob Lanier. "The schedule will provide many challenges and help build team character."

Date        Team            Avg. 2yr, RPI   Site        TimeFriday, Nov. 22 UAlbany         317     Pepsi Arena         6/8 pmTuesday, Nov. 26    Fordham         153     @Fordham        TBASaturday, Nov. 30   Northern Iowa       207     Pepsi Arena     12 pmTuesday, Dec. 3 Toledo          100     @Toledo     TBASaturday, Dec. 21   Delaware            82      Pepsi Arena         1 pmMonday, Dec. 23 Xavier          25      Pepsi Arena     7 pmDecember 29, 30 Montana State Tournament             @Montana State TBA         Vs. Loyola Marymount        267        (Montana St. 151 vs. S. Carolina St. 181)Saturday, Jan. 4    Providence           64     Pepsi Arena     7 pm