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Justin Robinson scored a career-high 36 points to lead first place Monmouth past Siena 93-87 Monday night at Times Union Center. Javion Ogunyemi registered a career-high 31 points in the Saints' first home loss of the season.

A crowd of 7,016 turned out for the most anticipated MAAC game at Times Union Center in six seasons, and they weren't disappointed.

"I love Siena's team," Monmouth coach King Rice said. "I understand they're not whole right now. I like their program, and have much respect for Siena. A month from now, if we play them, the building is going to be my full. Hopefully it's not until (the MAAC Championship) Monday night."

Robinson scored 11 of Monmouth's first 13 points of the game, and the Hawks led by as many as 15 (30-15) in the first half. Ogunyemi beat the shot clock with a 25-footer on Siena's final possession of the half, trimming the Hawks' lead to 49-40 at the break.

Siena kept coming in the second half, and got within two points on consecutive possessions thanks to Ogunyemi and MAAC Player of the Week Brett Bisping.

Bisping scored 20 points for the fourth straight game (15 in the second half), and grabbed 14 rebounds in just 27 minutes due to foul trouble. He had five straight during a 14-6 Siena run that cut the lead to 64-62 with 12:57 left. Ogunyemi scored five straight to keep Siena within a bucket, but Monmouth ripped off the next eight to push the lead back to 10, 74-64, with 10:37 to play.

Siena got no closer than the final margin the rest of the way.

"I'm proud of our team to not give it away like that," Siena coach Jimmy Patsos said. "It was a great event, and we made some really gutsy plays. We needed to get a stop and a bucket, and instead we missed a shot and they get a bucket."

Robinson and the Hawks had the answer for every Siena challenge down the stretch.

After Bisping brought Siena within 80-74 with 6:46 left, Chris Brady scored on the other end. When Nico Clareth rose up for a three-pointer moments later, Robinson sank two free throws. A late 5-0 Siena spurt to get back within seven, was quelled by Micah Seaborn's layup.

It was an offensive showcase, but in the end Monmouth's fast start was too much to overcome.

"Justin does a good job pushing the ball, and he does a great job of getting everyone to play at that pace," Ogunyemi said. "We like to play fast, but we have to do a better job containing their best player. Twenty-three points in the first half is unacceptable."

Still, Siena showed it's a challenge it won't back down from, and one it hopes to get again.

"Sure, can't wait to beat them, it's going to be fun," Patsos said when asked if his team could topple the first place Hawks. "Third time is the charm. Of course, we can beat them."