ALBANY, NY – Siena Basketball attacked the start of the 2019-20 season and finished American 96-80 at the Times Union Center in a powerful opening act to the Carmen Maciariello era. The Saints erupted for their most points in a season-opener in 35 years, while posting the program's largest margin of victory in a lid-lifter in 11 years.

The first Siena Basketball alumnus to lead the program since the legendary Bill Kirsch from 1972-82, the 2001 graduate Maciariello couldn't have scripted a much better debut. The local product from nearby Clifton Park, who was promoted to head coach following last year's turnaround season, recorded the largest margin of victory by a head coach in his Siena debut in nearly eight decades dating back to the fabled Dan Cunha who guided the Green and Gold to a 59-37 triumph over Oneonta to open the 1941-42 season.

MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Jalen Pickett picked up right where he left off, leading four Saints in double figures with 22 points while adding five rebounds and four assists. Notre Dame transfer and Troy native Elijah Burns dominated in his Siena debut, narrowly missing a double-double with 19 points on 7-10 shooting to go along with nine rebounds.

Minnesota transfer Jamir Harris paced four in double figures for American with 20 points, while Jacob Boonyasith added 17 points on 6-7 shooting for the Eagles who were predicted to finish third in the perennially strong Patriot League.

The Saints led virtually throughout and by as many as 28 points while tallying their highest scoring output in a season-opener since a 110-64 thrashing of East Stroudsburg to tip off the 1984-85 campaign. Pickett tallied 10 of his points during a 20-4 run late in the first half, which helped propel Siena to a commanding 54-31 lead at the break.

American shot 61% (17-28) in the second half to halve the deficit to 14, but couldn't get any closer as the Saints notched their largest margin of victory in a season-opener since an 82-52 triumph over Boise State here in Albany to start the 2008-09 MAAC Championship season.

Siena controlled all facets while improving to 32-12 (.727) in home openers during the program's Division I era. The Saints shot 52% from both the field and from distance (11-21), while holding commanding advantages in rebounding (41-26), points off turnovers (23-9), second chance points (13-3), and bench scoring (36-10).

Mount St. Mary's transfer Donald Carey was also spectacular in his Siena debut, adding 17 points and a game-high five assists. Manny Camper rounded out the Saints' scorers in double figures with 14 points on an efficient 6-7 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and four assists.

Stacey Beckton, Jr. contributed 14 points for the Eagles who also shot 52% from the field. Connor Nelson notched all 11 of his points in the second half for American which was without the services of Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year Sa'eed Nelson.

Siena will look to build off its strong season-opening performance as it prepares for a stiff test at Big East foe and 19^th ranked Xavier Friday night at 7 p.m. in Cincinnati.