March 5, 2004

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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Jamal Jackson scored 17 points to lead Siena to a 73-64 win over Marist in the first round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament Friday.

After Will Whittington hit a layup to bring Marist within two at 64-62 with 2:07 left, Siena's Michael Haddix pulled down a key offensive rebound following a miss by Antoine Jordan, preventing Marist from tying the game.

Jackson took advantage of the second chance, driving to the basket for a critical field goal with 1:25 remaining, giving Siena a 66-62 lead.

The sixth-seeded Saints pulled away by shooting 7-8 from the free throw line in the game's final minute.

Jordan had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Siena (13-15, 10-9 MAAC). Haddix added 14 points and Austin Andrews had 11.

No. 9 Marist (6-22, 4-15 MAAC) was led by Whittington, who set a career-high with 18 points and was 5-10 from 3-point range. Brandon Ellerbee added 13 points for the Red Foxes.

Siena advances to the second round against No. 3 Fairfield Saturday.