ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Siena Basketball looks to hit the jackpot and continue the recent runs of 11-seeds when the Saints battle No. 6 seed Niagara in the First Round of the Hercules Tires Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships Tuesday at approximately 9:45 p.m. at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
 
Siena (4-27) is the No. 11 seed in the MAAC Tournament for the first time since the conference expanded to its current 11-team format in 2013-14. Despite being the last seeded team, the No. 11 seed has enjoyed moderate success, especially recently. The No. 11 seed is a respectable 8-10 overall and won at least one game each of the past three seasons, highlighted by Marist's magical march to the MAAC Championship Game last year and Quinnipiac's semifinal run the year prior.
 
The Saints are a stellar 24-10 (.727) all-time in MAAC Tournament openers, including 5-2 in First Round action. Moreover, Siena is a perfect 8-0 vs. No. 6 seeds, albeit the Saints were the higher-seeded team in seven of those prior matchups.
 
Niagara (15-15) enters postseason play having dropped four of five, with their lone win coming just five days ago at Siena. The Purple Eagles suffered a heartbreaking defeat to end their regular season Saturday at Marist when the potential game-winning three at the buzzer – which would have clinched Niagara a First Round bye – was waived off.
 
Siena and Niagara split their regular season series for the fifth straight year, with each side winning on the others home court this season. The Saints prevailed 93-88 in a barnburner on Jan. 15 on Monteagle Ridge, with the Purple Eagles earning the split with a 66-59 decision last Thursday at MVP Arena. The programs are meeting for the 113^th time overall, with Siena holding a 59-53 advantage.
 
Siena and Niagara meet in their respective MAAC Tournament openers for the second straight year, as the Saints seek to avenge a 71-65 setback in last season's 4-5 game. The programs meet for the ninth time overall in the MAAC Tournament, with Siena holding a 5-4 edge. The rivals have alternated wins over their past five postseason matchups.
 
The Siena-Niagara victor will have a day off Wednesday before facing No. 3 seed Marist in the MAAC Quarterfinals Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The Red Foxes swept the Saints during the regular season, winning by scores of 50-48 on Jan. 21 in Poughkeepsie, and 67-51 on Feb. 8 in Albany.  
 
Daryl Fein, Chris Williams, and Griffin Della Penna have the call of the game on ESPN+, which can be viewed 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 game courtside from Boardwalk Hall on JAMZ 96.3 FM, with pregame coverage beginning at approximately 9:15 p.m.