ALBANY, NY - Siena. Iona. The latest chapter in the long history between the rivals will be written Sunday night when fifth-seeded Siena Basketball battles regular season champion, top-seed, and three-time defending MAAC Tournament Champion Iona in the MAAC Semifinals at 6 p.m. at the Times Union Center.
Tickets to tonight's game can be purchased in advance by clicking the corresponding link at the top of the release, in person at the Times Union Center Box Office, or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Siena (17-15) enters tonight's semifinal showdown winners of 11 of 15, following an 87-81 victory over No. 4 seed Rider in the MAAC Quarterfinals late last night. Meanwhile Iona (15-15) carries an eight-game winning streak into this evening's matchup after surviving ninth-seeded Saint Peter's 73-71 in a quarterfinal contest Friday night.
Not only does tonight's matchup feature the MAAC's two hottest teams, but also the two most storied basketball programs in league history. Iona has won a league-record 11 championships, while Siena is tied with Manhattan for the second most titles with five. The Saints' .619 MAAC Tournament winning percentage is second only to the Gaels' .671. Iona has captured each of the first nine MAAC Tournament meetings between the programs.
The rivals are matching up for the fourth time in five years since the Tournament returned to Albany. The Gaels are seeking a seventh straight MAAC Title Game appearance. No top-seed has won the MAAC Championship since the final of three Siena titles in 2010.
The winner of tonight's contest will advance to the MAAC Championship Game Monday night at 9 p.m. against either No. 2 seed Canisius or No. 6 seed Monmouth. The Golden Griffins and Hawks meet in tonight's second semifinal at 8:30 p.m.
Jason Benetti and Jordan Cornette have the call of the game on ESPN3. The ESPN3 broadcast is accessible by clicking the corresponding link, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and on televisions through Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Gameday Central coverage commences with The Anderson Group Pregame Show at 5:30 p.m. with A.J. Kanell and Conner Fenlon '12 on the radio locally on Talk 1300 AM and 98.7 FM, and online at SienaAllAccess.com. Complimentary online audio of the broadcast can also be accessed by clicking the corresponding link at the top of the page.
Social media updates will be provided courtside throughout the day by following the Saints' official twitter page @SienaMBB. Join the conversation by using the hashtags #UnleashMayhem #MarchOn, and #MAACHoops. For complete MAAC Tournament coverage, click on the corresponding MAAC Tournament Central link.
