UNCASVILLE, CT - Siena Basketball plays for its first tournament title of the burgeoning Jamion Christian era when the Saints face Holy Cross in the Springfield Bracket Championship Game of the Air Force Reserve Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off presented by Citi. Tip-off is slated for 11 a.m. Sunday morning at Mohegan Sun Arena, and the matchup will be broadcast on ESPN3.
Tickets to Sunday's Championship Game in team section 18 can be purchased for just $22 by entering the promo code SSAINT18. Tickets can be secured by clicking the corresponding links, or by contacting the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office at (800) 854-2196.
Pat O'Keefe and Rob Kennedy have the call of the game on ESPN3, which can be viewed by clicking the corresponding link or via the WatchESPN app. Gameday Central coverage commences with the Anderson Group Pregame Show at 10:30 a.m. with A.J. Kanell and Conner Fenlon '12, which airs locally on Talk1300 AM and 98.7 FM as well as online at SienaAllAccess.com. The complimentary audio stream can be listened to by clicking the corresponding link.
Social media updates will be provided courtside throughout the day via the Saints' official twitter page @SienaMBB. Join the conversation by using the hashtags #MarchOn and #UnleashMayhem.
Here's Ten Things to Know About Today's Game
1.) Siena is in search of the program's first 3-1 start since its last MAAC Championship Season in 2009-10
2.) Today's contest marks Jamion Christian's 200th career game as a head coach
3.) The Saints rank ninth nationally averaging 12.5 threes per game. Siena ranked 250th out of 351 Division I teams (and last in the MAAC) averaging 6.9 threes per game last season.
4.) Siena has made 10 or more threes in each of their first three games to open the year. This marks the first time the Saints have made 10 or more threes in three consecutive games since accomplishing the feat in four straight contests from Jan. 15-25, 2001.
5.) Siena also ranks sixth nationally in fewest fouls (12.0), 29th in turnovers (10.0), and 55th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.47). The Saints ranked 304th in fouls (20.0), 329th in turnovers (15.1), and 340th in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.73) last season.
6.)
Jalen Pickett leads Siena through his first three collegiate games in both scoring (12.7) and assists (6.3). He also ranks second in the MAAC in assists, tied for fifth in threes (nine), and 10th in three-point field goal percentage (40.9%)
7.)
Kevin Degnan leads the MAAC and ranks 25th nationally shooting 60% from three-point range. He currently stands tied for fifth in the MAAC in threes with nine.
8.)
Sloan Seymour ranks second in the MAAC in threes (11) and fifth in three-point field goal percentage (.458).
9.) The Saints are playing their first of three consecutive Patriot League opponents, and four total this season. Siena leads the all-time series with Holy Cross 9-4, and has captured seven of the past eight meetings.
10.) Holy Cross defeated Stony Brook 84-70 Friday to advance to today's championship tilt. The Crusaders are 2-2 so far on the young season. Holy Cross posted a 12-19 overall record last season, including an 8-10 mark in the Patriot League. The Crusaders were predicted to finish fifth (out of 10 teams) according to the preseason coaches' poll, and return reigning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and Preseason All-League selection Jehyve Floyd.
