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Siena Tops Rider to Win MAAC Title

Saints headed to NCAA Tournament for first time since 2002

By Doug Sweeney,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 10, 2008 11:30 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Siena’s only senior, Tay Fisher, scored 15 of his 21 points in the first half as the Saints routed Rider 74-53 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament final to earn the league’s automatic NCAA bid. All of Fisher’s points were a result of 3-point shots, either makes or free throws from being fouled beyond the arc, reports the Albany Times Union.

It's the fourth time in the school history that Siena has made it to the big dance; the last time was in 2002. The Saints are 2-3 in tournament games.  Rider, short two starters who were injured earlier in the tourney, relied on MAAC player of the year Jason Thompson to carry the load, but even with his 22-point, 12-rebound effort, the Broncs were not able to hang with the host team in Albany.

Siena College guard Edwin Ubiles (23) drives to the basket as Manhattan College's Andrew Gabriel (11) defends during the first half of their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball game in Albany, N.Y., Saturday, March 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Siena College guard Edwin Ubiles (23) drives to the basket as Manhattan College's Andrew Gabriel (11) defends during the first half of their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball game in Albany,...   (Associated Press)
Manhattan's Andrew Gabriel (11) and Siena's Ronald Moore chase a loose ball during the first half of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament basketball game in Albany, N.Y., Saturday, March 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Manhattan's Andrew Gabriel (11) and Siena's Ronald Moore chase a loose ball during the first half of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament basketball game in Albany, N.Y., Saturday, March 8,...   (Associated Press)
Siena's Alex Franklin (42) loses the ball while getting tangled up with Boise State's Reggie Larry (24) under the Sienna basket during the first half of the college basketball game at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Troy Maben)
Siena's Alex Franklin (42) loses the ball while getting tangled up with Boise State's Reggie Larry (24) under the Sienna basket during the first half of the college basketball game at Taco Bell Arena...   (Associated Press)
Rider's Jason Thompson slams dunks the ball in the first half of a game against Marist College in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball tournament in Albany, N.Y., Sunday, March 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Rider's Jason Thompson slams dunks the ball in the first half of a game against Marist College in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball tournament in Albany, N.Y., Sunday, March 9, 2008. (AP...   (Associated Press)
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Franklin is the straw that stirs Siena's drink
Times Union (Albany)

 
basketball • NCAA basketball • MAAC • Siena Saints • Rider Broncs • March Madness • 2008 NCAA Tournament

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