J.S. Carras/The Record

Siena has a pivotal game on Thursday evening.

The Saints are one game ahead of Niagara in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings and really trying to remain in the top six spots, to avoid having to play in the first round of the league tournament (which i can't believe is only three weeks away).

The Purple Eagles have a young, tough team that gave Siena a lot of trouble earlier this season.

Niagara has lost five games in a row, all to solid teams, but they are in a rut, for sure.

In my opinion, the Saints have to go 4-1 in their final five MAAC games, to be assured of avoiding the play-in game. That would put them at 9-9, which isn't unrealistic because they play four games against teams below them in the standings (although three of final five league games are on the road).

SIENA AT NIAGARA

When: Tonight, 7 p.m. Where: Gallagher Center (2,400), Lewiston
TV: Time Warner-3
Radio: TALK 1300-AM
2011-12 Records: Siena (5-8, 10-13) Niagara (4-9, 9-16)
Last Meeting: Siena 72, Niagara 60, at Times Union Center, Albany, on Jan. 8, 2012 — Siena leads the
all-time series 43-41

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
SIENA

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Avg.
5    Evan Hymes     G    Fr.    5-8    14.2
3    Kyle Downey    G    Sr.    6-2    12.7  
31    Owen Wignot    F    Sr.    6-6     5.7 
1    OD Anosike    F    Jr.    6-8    15.1 
0    Brandon Walters     C     Jr.     6-8     6.4

NIAGARA

No./Name     Pos.     Yr.    Ht.    Avg. 
14    Antoine Mason    G    Fr.    6-3     15.4
1    Malcolm Lemmons    G    So.    6-3    8.7  
10    Juan’ya Green    G    Fr.    6-3    16.7  
12    Scotter Gillette    F     Jr.    6-8     4.8 
11    Ameen Tanksley    G    Fr.     6-6    8.2 

MAAC STANDINGS

School  Conference    Overall
Iona    11-2    19-5
Loyola (Md.)    11-2    18-5
Manhattan    10-3    17-8
Fairfield    8-4    13-10
Rider    7-6    10-15
Siena    5-8    10-13 
Niagara    4-9    9-16
Saint Peter’s    4-9    5-19
Marist    3-9     8-15
Canisius    1-12    4-19

Today’s Games

Siena at Niagara    7 p.m.
Rider at Canisius    7 p.m.
Manhattan at Fairfield     7:30 p.m.
Marist at Saint Peter’s    8:30 p.m.

Friday’s Game

Iona at Loyola (ESPNU)    7 p.m.