AMHERST, MA – Siena Basketball looks to build momentum heading into the New Year while concluding the 2023 calendar year and non-conference play on a high note when the Saints cross over into the Bay State to take on Massachusetts Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Mullins Center.
 
Siena (2-10, 1-1) showed improvement just prior to the holiday break in their 71-67 setback at Brown last Friday. The Saints achieved season-highs in assists (18), threes (10), and blocks (10) while also building a season-best 18-point advantage early in the second half. With their double-digit block effort, Siena now leads the MAAC in rejections (4.5) while also boasting the league-leader in blocks in Killian Gribben (1.5).
 
The Saints have received a needed boost over the past two weeks following the debut of Sean Durugordon. The dynamic talent has averaged 23.5 points and 12.0 rebounds spanning his first two games donning the Green and Gold, while leading Siena in both categories in each game played. As a result, the Saints have posted two of their three highest scoring and assist outputs the past two games, coinciding with the debut of Durugordon.
 
UMass (8-3) meanwhile returns to the continental U.S. following a pair of 22-point wins to close out the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii. The Minutemen, who were projected to finish 13^th out of 15 teams according to the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll following a 15-16 (6-12) mark last season, currently lead the conference in scoring (84.5 – 24^th nationally), assists (18.5 – 15^th nationally), steals (9.5 – 27^th nationally), turnover margin (+3.8 – 26^th nationally), offensive rebounding (13.6 – 30^th nationally), and fastbreak scoring (14.4). Reigning A-10 Player of the Week and Saint Francis (PA) transfer Josh Cohen paces UMass with 19.2 points while leading the conference and ranking 27^th nationally in field goal percentage (.615).
 
Despite being separated by just 100 miles, Siena and UMass meet for only the 10^th time and first time in nine years. The Minutemen have captured eight of the first nine matchups, although the past four meetings have been decided by a combined 14 points. The programs squared off twice in epic NIT games in Albany, with UMass winning by two points in overtime in 1991 and the Saints prevailing by a point in 2000.
 
Jay Burnham and Frank Sullivan have the call of the game for the regionally televised broadcast throughout New England on NESN, which is also available to DirecTV subscribers on channel 628. The game can also be viewed on ESPN+ by clicking the corresponding link. Mike Demos and former Saint Conner Fenlon '12 will have the radio call of the game locally in the Capital Region on JAMZ 96.3 FM, with pregame coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m.