ALBANY, NY – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's two most storied programs go toe-to-toe for the first time this season when Siena Basketball hosts archrival Iona in the annual Gold Rush Game presented by Dollar General in a nationally televised showdown Friday night at 7 p.m. at MVP Arena.
 
As of 3 p.m. Thursday, less than 400 tickets remained for tonight's game. Tickets start at just $12 (service fees apply if purchasing through Ticketmaster) and can be purchased by clicking the corresponding link, in-person at the MVP Arena Box Office, or by contacting Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000. The Siena Fan Relations Management Center is on-hand to handle all ticket-related inquiries, and can be reached by phone at (518) 487-2202 or by e-mail at sienatickets2@siena.edu.
 
Tonight marks Siena Basketball's annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Game, with this year's contest holding extra special meaning following the losses earlier this week of John Baer, father of graduate student Michael Baer, and 18-year-old honorary team member Evan Franz, to bladder cancer and brain cancer, respectively. The Siena coaching staff will show their support for the cause, in part, by wearing sneakers and lapel pins, while also collecting donations for the American Cancer Society in memory of both John and Evan.
 
Tonight's game also serves as the Saints' annual Gold Rush game presented by Dollar General. Fans are encouraged to wear gold to show their support, and the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Gold Rush t-shirt.
 
Siena (13-7, 7-2) and Iona (13-6, 6-2) fittingly enter their first meeting of the 2022-23 season in first and second-place in the MAAC Standings, respectively. The two long-time rivals also rank 1-2 all-time in MAAC history in both conference regular season and tournament championships, as well as league victories. The Saints have achieved the feat despite joining the MAAC eight years after the Gaels, as well as Manhattan, Saint Peter's, and Fairfield, each of whom Siena ranks ahead of in each category.
 
The Saints enter play looking to bounce back from defeats in two of their past three games, coming on the heels of a season-long seven-game win streak which fueled a 6-0 MAAC start. Meanwhile Iona has split their past four games after starting 4-0 in league action.
 
Siena has faced Iona more times (121) than any other opponent, with the Gaels holding a 67-54 advantage. However, the programs have split the past 12 meetings, and each squad won on its homecourt last season.
 
Robert Lee and Terrence Oglesby have the call of the nationally televised showdown on ESPNU, which is available to Spectrum subscribers in the Capital Region on Channel 370, and can also be found on DirecTV Channel 208 and DISH Channel 141. The game can also be watched online by clicking the corresponding link. "The Voice of the Saints" Emmanuel Berbari and former Saint Andy Grazulis '92 will have the radio call of the action locally in the Capital Region on ALT 104.9 FM and online at alt1049albany.com, with pregame coverage courtside from MVP Arena beginning at 6:30 p.m.
 
Social media updates will be provided courtside throughout the day by following the Saints' official twitter page @SienaMBB. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #MarchOn. Upload pictures of yourself and your friends enjoying the game through the Selfiefinder platform by clicking the corresponding link at the top of the page, or by downloading the Selfiefinder app and searching "Siena." The best selfies from the game will be displayed on the video scoreboard during the second half.