WASHINGTON, DC – Siena Basketball looks to bounce back and secure a split of its long weekend road trip when the Saints take on American Monday night at 7 p.m. in the nation's capital.
 
Siena (1-1) is looking to shake a 90-48 setback Saturday night at Richmond to tip off a stretch where the Saints play four straight away from home. Siena was without reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year and Preseason Second Team All-MAAC selection Michael Eley (ankle), who had posted his first collegiate double-double with career-highs of 24 points and 11 rebounds in the season-opening win last Monday vs. Holy Cross.
 
Giovanni Emejuru led the way Saturday night for the Saints, posting 13 points on 6-10 shooting to notch his second straight double-digit scoring performance to begin his Siena career. Killian Gribben added 10 points alongside Emejuru in the Saints massive frontcourt which totaled eight blocks for the second straight game to open the season. Siena boasts an average height of 77.9 inches, or nearly 6-6.
 
American (0-2) is in search of its first win in the Duane Simpkins era following road setbacks at 22^nd ranked Villanova (90-63) and William & Mary (75-56) to begin the season. Like the Saints, the Eagles also posted a 17-15 overall record last season. Despite making an offseason coaching change, American was projected to finish third according to the Patriot League Preseason Poll, with Matt Rogers earning Preseason All-League honors.
 
Siena and American meet for the second straight season in Washington in the third year of a four-year series which concludes next season at MVP Arena. The Saints prevailed 64-61 in the first-ever meeting between the program's in the nation's capital last Dec. 22 behind a game-high 16 points off the bench from Eley. Siena has won six of the frist eight all-time matchups in the series.
 
Dan Laing and Gordon Austin have the call of the game on ESPN+, which can be viewed by clicking the corresponding link. The "Voice of the Saints" Emmanuel Berbari has the radio call alongside former Saint Conner Fenlon '12 locally in the Capital Region on the new radio home for Siena Basketball, JAMZ 96.3 FM.