For the second straight year the Siena men's basketball program established a new program attendance record as an average 7,853 fans passed through the turnstiles for the team's 17 home games.

According to a press release from Siena and the NCAA attendance report released on Wednesday, Siena ranked 66th in the country, tying its highest ranking ever.

“I think it’s a testament to the success of the team,” said Siena Athletic Director John D’Argenio on Wednesday. “It’s a testament to the area that when you give them a product that’s good, that’s exciting, they’ll come out and support it and I think that’s what’s been shown that past three of four years.”

A total of 133,505 fans attended Siena home games this season (including the MAAC Tournament), almost a 5 percent increase from the 2008-09 season when 127,453 fans came out.

Siena's attendance has risen each of the last five years and increased over 40 percent over that time period.

The 2009-10 Siena average was higher than schools such as Arizona State, Baylor, Florida State, Oregon, Seton Hall and Georgia.

The figure was also sixth amongst so-called mid-major programs, trailing only Creighton, Dayton, Wichita State, Utah State and Bradley.

“Winning has 99.999 percent to do with that,” said D’Argenio.

The Saints have won 38 straight home games in downtown Albany.