Aug. 28, 2002
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference released its men's basketball league schedules earlier this week completing Siena's 2002-2003 ledger. The Saints will play 14 games at Pepsi Arena this season and as few as 11 on the opposition's home court.
Siena's MAAC schedule begins at Pepsi Arena on Saturday, December 7 against Canisius. That game is one of six home Saturday contests the Saints will play this season. That anomaly, coupled with intriguing home contests with Albany (Fri., Nov. 22), Xavier (Mon., Dec. 23) and late season mid-week rivalry games with Niagara (Tue., Feb. 18) and Manhattan (Thu., Feb. 27) should set the stage for another season of record crowds at Pepsi Arena.
"We have put together a schedule that should entice Capital Region basketball fans to come out in record numbers this season," said second year Head Coach Rob Lanier. "Also, from a calendar standpoint, this year's schedule is less demanding than last year's, which should enable us to accomplish more in crucial early season practices."
Other adjustments seem to provide favorable situations for the Green and Gold. The Saints play no more than two consecutive games away from home; and this year's games with Niagara and Canisius are two days apart, allowing for just one Western New York trip. Siena also will play Rider at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton on Sunday, Feb. 23-site of this year's MAAC Tournament. That game will be one of two scheduled telecasts the Saints will partake in as part of the MAAC's television package with Madison Square Garden Network. Siena's home game with Fairfield on Monday, Jan. 20 will begin at 7:30 p.m. on MSG Network.
"The MAAC schedule completes one of our best schedules ever," noted Director of Athletic John D'Argenio. "The conference did an excellent job working through the challenges that go along with scheduling a 10-team league that uses both campus and public facilities. Through the cooperation of the Pepsi Arena and the MAAC Office, Siena was able to get a conference schedule with very attractive home dates."
The Saints' non-conference schedule (released earlier this month) features home games with the University at Albany, Northern Iowa University, Xavier University, the University of Delaware and Providence College. Siena will play at Fordham University on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and at the University of Toledo on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The Saints join Loyola Marymount, South Carolina State University and host school Montana State University in the four-team Bobcat Invitational December 29-30.
Season tickets are as affordable as $138 and may be obtained by contacting the Pepsi Arena Box Office at 518-487-2086.
