ALBANY, NY – Siena Basketball makes its long-awaited return to the Times Union Center to play its first home game in front of the Siena faithful in exactly 600 days, when the Saints host crosstown foe Saint Rose in an exhibition matchup Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Times Union Center.
 
Tickets to the exhibition are included in the 2021-22 Siena Basketball season ticket package. Individual game tickets to the exhibition start at just $10 for adults (service fees apply if purchasing through Ticketmaster), and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the corresponding link, in-person at the Times Union Center Box Office (opens at 10 a.m.), or by contacting Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000.
 
Siena recently announced it's initial spectator policy for men's basketball home games at the Times Union Center, which reflects the current New York State Department of Health COVID-19 health and safety guidance for large-scale indoor events of 5,000 attendees or greater. Fully vaccinated individuals must present proof of full vaccination status through paper form, digital application, or the State's Excelsior Pass upon entering the Times Union Center.  Full vaccination status is defined as having completed the COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to the date of the game. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated spectators aged five or older must present proof of a negative PCR test result collected within 72 hours of the game, or a negative antigen test collected within six hours of the game, upon entering the arena. Unvaccinated children under the age of five may accompany an adult who has provided either proof of full vaccination status or a recent negative test result. Masks are strongly recommended for fully vaccinated individuals, and mandatory for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals.
 
Monday's exhibition marks Siena's first home game in front of fans at the Times Union Center in exactly 600 days. The Saints last played in-person in front of the Siena faithful in downtown Albany on Mar. 4, 2020 when they throttled Niagara 77-55 on Senior Day to complete a perfect 14-0 season at the Times Union Center.
 
The two-time defending MAAC Regular Season Champions enter the 2021-22 season primed to complete the three-peat and return to the NCAA Tournament. The Saints will lean on their veteran quad-captains to lead a team which returns just three scholarship players and only 29% of its scoring from last season's squad which achieved a 12-5 overall record during the abbreviated COVID campaign. Siena was predicted to finish eighth according to the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll as a result, but will look to once again prove the coaches wrong as head coach Carmen Maciariello has retooled and reloaded the roster with 10 talented newcomers, comprised of six upperclassman transfers and four true freshmen.
 
Monday's matchup will serve as the only exhibition and lone official dress rehearsal for the Saints prior to their season-opener 15 days later. Siena officially tips off its 2021-22 season when they travel to sister-school and 23^rd ranked St. Bonaventure for the annual Br. Ed Coughlin Franciscan Cup on Tuesday, Nov. 9. The home-opener is set for four days later when the Saints highlight Homecoming Weekend when they welcome Delaware to the Times Union Center on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
 
The preseason matchup vs. Saint Rose marks Siena's first exhibition in four years dating back to the 2017-18 season, and first at the Times Union Center in 11 years. The Saints defeated Division II Adelphi 67-59 in downtown Albany on Oct. 30, 2010.  
 
Division II Saint Rose posted a 4-3 overall record during their abbreviated 2020-21 season this past spring. The Golden Knights return all five starters and 10 letterwinners from last year's squad, including leading returning scorer and Schenectady native Shane O'Dell who averaged 16.9 points and 5.7 rebounds as a freshman.
 
The new "Voice of the Saints" Emmanuel Berbari has the call of the game on Siena All-Access. The complimentary video stream can be watched by logging onto sienasaints.com/watch or by clicking the corresponding link.
 
2021-22 Siena Basketball season and individual tickets are on-sale now. Tickets to all 14 home games, including Monday's exhibition, start at just $75, while individual game tickets are priced beginning at only $10 for adults. Existing Siena Men's Basketball season ticket holders who have yet to renew their seats can do so conveniently simply by utilizing Ticketmaster's Account Manager tool. Season and individual game tickets can be secured by clicking the corresponding links or by contacting the Siena Fan Relations Management Center by phone during traditional business hours Monday through Friday at (518) 487-2202, online at sienasaints.com/tickets, or by e-mail at sienatickets2@siena.edu.