ALBANY - Siena is on a roll at home right now.

The Saints won their fifth consecutive home game on Friday night, downing rival Marist, 67-58, in front of 5,864 fans in downtown Albany.

Siena (3-2, 7-9) got 17 points off the bench from Evan Hymes and 16 more from Brett Bisping, who also grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.

Marist (2-3, 5-10), which played without center Adam Kemp, was led by freshman Khallid Hart, who scored a game-high 22 points.

The Saints will be back at home on Sunday, when they host Iona.

ALBANY - The first half was certainly a foul fest between Siena and Marist.

The two teams combined for 24 fouls (two technicals) and 33 free throws attempted (28 made).

Still, the Saints scored the half's final six points and lead, 32-25, at intermission.

The teams didn't shoot well. Siena was 8-for-25 (32%), while Marist was 5-for-24 (20.8%)

The Saints were led by Brett Bisping, who scored 11 points.

The Red Foxes, who had to deal with foul trouble with both Chavaughn Lewis and Jay Bowie, were led by Khalid Hart, who had 10 points. 

J.S. Carras/The Record

The University at Albany men's basketball team won their home opener Tuesday night, against New
Jersey Institute of Technology.

Here is the game story, following a 71-65 victory for the Great Danes that bumped them to 2-0 overall, with a game at Quinnipiac on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Siena dropped to 0-2, with a 77-66 loss at Vermont. Here is a link to the Siena write up and postgame video from coach Jimmy Patsos.

Also, Brien Bouyea checks in with the RPI women's basketball team.

Columnist Steve Amedio writes about Marist women's coach Brian Giorgis, who brings his Red Foxes to the SEFCU Arena Thursday evening, to take on UAlbany. The two teams are ranked in the Top 20, in the College Insider Mid-Major poll, with Marist at No. 3 and UAlbany at No. 17. 

J.S. Carras/The Record

The Siena women's basketball team held its media day event on Monday afternoon at the ARC.

Second-year coach Ali Jaques (left) is optimistic that the team can have a good season, despite losing leading scorer Lily Grenci to graduation.

The Saints are picked seventh in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll, but do have some intriguing pieces. If they come together, they may be able to finish near the top.

Marist has won eight straight tournament titles and newcomer Quinnipiac finished 30-3 last season and went to the NCAA tournament.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Siena men's coach Mitch Buonaguro talks about the 70-64 victory over Marist in the first round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Siena men's basketball team will play another day.

The Saints topped Marist 70-64, in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference first round game on Friday evening, at MassMutual Center.

Senior O.D. Anosike led the way, scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for Siena, which takes on top-seeded Niagara, on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Chavaughn Lewis scored 24 points, while Jay Bowie added 16 points for the Red Foxes.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Like the first two meetings this season, the first half was pretty even and pretty intense.

Davis Martens' free throw gives the Saints a 32-31 lead at halftime.

O.D. Anosike scored 12 points to lead the Saints, but it was Chavaughn Lewis leading all scorers with 14 points for the Red Foxes.

The Saints shot 52 percent (13-25) from the field, but that may not be a great thing since they only lead by one.

Before the Siena men's basketball team takes the floor on Sunday, to end the regular season against Iona, the Saints know their opponents in the postseason tournament.

With Saint Peter's losing 78-61 to Niagara, the Peacocks are the No. 10 seed, meaning Siena will play in the No. 8/9 matchup.

Siena will play Marist (one team will be No. 8, the other will be No. 9) on Friday March 8, at 7:30 p.m.

The Red Foxes and Saints split the season series, with Marist winning on Friday, 76-74, in Albany.

If Siena can beat Marist on Friday, they would get regular-season champion Niagara on Saturday, at 2:30 p.m. The Purple Eagles finished the regular season 13-5, and swept the Saints in two meetings.

This is the Senior Night video for Siena's O.D. Anosike, which was played on the scoreboard before Friday's game against Marist.

ALBANY - Siena couldn't end Senior Night fittingly, as Marist spoiled what was a celebration of O.D. Anosike's career on Friday evening.

Adam Kemp scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Red Foxes (5-12, 9-20).

Anosike, who couldn't finish the game and was hooked up to an IV following the game, finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. Trenity Burdine scored a career-high 17 points.

The Saints (4-13, 7-22) finish the regular season on Sunday, when they play at Iona.

Iona's Scott Machado and Marist's Corielle Yarde have been named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's men's and women's Players of the Year, respectively.

Machado's victory ends a three-year Siena run. Kenny Hasbrouck, Alex Franklin and Ryan Rossiter were the last three award winners.

Siena's OD Anosike and Lily Grenci were candidates for the awards, after being named All-MAAC first team on Monday.

Loyola (Md).'s Jimmy Patsos and Marist's Brian Giorgis were named the men's and women's Coach of the Year respectively.

Niagara's Juan'ya Green was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year, an award that Siena's Evan Hymes was in the running for.

In my mind, Hymes was more valuable, but Green's offensive numbers were better. 

POUGHKEEPSIE — The Siena men’s basketball team controlled their own fate.

Then, they hit the road and the Saints’ season-long problem of playing away from Albany, reared its ugly head.

Marist scored the game’s final nine points and posted a 61-52 victory at McCann Arena on Thursday evening.

Siena (7-10, 12-16) finishes the regular season with just one Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory on the road (1-8).

The Saints also will post back-to-back losing conference season for the first time since 1995-96 & ’96-97 seasons.    

Siena is 3-12 in games away from Albany this season.

The Saints had won 10 straight meetings against the Red Foxes, but it was Marist (6-11, 12-17), which got 16 points and eight rebounds from Chavaughn Lewis, which came out on top this time around.

“I’m just working as hard as possible,” said Lewis, who was also recruited heavily by Siena and coach Mitch Buonaguro.

OD Anosike posted his 21st double-double of the season for the Saints, scoring 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

The Saints trailed by eight at halftime, 28-20, and fell behind by as many as 12 points before mounting a comeback.

A 14-0 run, capped by a 3-point play from Anosike, put Siena up 48-46.

Marist fought right back though, as Lewis converted a 3-point play of his own and then Isaiah Morton hit a 3-pointer to put the Red Foxes up 52-48.

Anosike tied the game again, 52-52, but Lewis sunk two free throws to give Marist the lead for good.

The big shot came off the hands of Jay Bowie, who sunk a 3-pointer from the corner, to put the Red Foxes up 57-52. 

Evan Hymes chipped in 14 points for the Saints, but he finished just 5-for-12 from the field and Siena as a team, shot just 2-for-15 (13.3%) from beyond the arc and only 6-for-13 (46.2%) from the free throw line.

The Saints dropped to 0-12, when they score less than 60 points in a game this season.

Siena finishes the regular season, on Sunday, when they host Canisius, at 2 p.m.

Siena and Marist have been rivals for some time, but it's been a one-sided rivalry of late.

The Saints have won 10 straight meetings between these two teams and Siena could use another victory this evening.

The Saints are trying to move up, as high as fifth place in the MAAC standings and need two wins to do so.

With one point, Evan Hymes will move past Edwin Ubiles into fourth on the program's all-time list of scoring for freshmen. Hymes has 377 points this season.

SIENA AT MARIST

Where: McCann Arena (3,200), Poughkeepsie
When: Tonight, 9 p.m.
Radio: TALK 1300-AM (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter)
Internet: ESPN3.com (Doug Sherman, Rob Kennedy)
Last Meeting: Siena 66, Marist 55, at Times Union Center, Albany, on Jan. 27, 2012 — Siena leads the all-time series 46-22
Records: Siena (7-9, 12-15) Marist (5-11, 11-17)

Probable Starters
SIENA

No, Player, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg
5, Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 14.0
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 13.0
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-6, 6.3
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 15.1
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.3

MARIST

No, Player, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg
0, Devin Price, G, Jr., 6-1, 13.5 
11, Isaiah Morton, G, Fr., 5-8, 7.6
40, Chavaughn Lewis, G/F, Fr., 6-5, 13.8 
20, Jay Bowie, G/F, So., 6-5, 6.8 
50, Adam Kemp, F, So., 6-10, 8.7

MAAC STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Iona, 13-3, 22-6
Loyola (Md), 12-4, 20-7
Fairfield, 12-4, 17-11
Manhattan, 11-5, 19-10
Rider, 8-8, 11-18
Siena, 7-9, 12-15
Niagara, 7-9, 12-17
Marist, 5-11, 11-17
Saint Peter’s, 4-12, 5-23
Canisus, 1-15, 5-22

Today’s Games

Siena at Marist, 9 p.m.

Friday’s Games

Canisius at Manhattan, 7 p.m.
Loyola (Md) at Rider (ESPN2), 7 p.m.
Niagara at Saint Peter’s, 8 p.m.
Fairfield at Iona (ESPNU), 9 p.m.

ALBANY - Siena led the entire way, but the victory wasn't all easy

Marist cut the lead to two, with just seven minutes to play, but the Saints had enough to pull out a 66-55 victory.

The victory was the 10th straight for Siena over Marist.

OD Anosike registered his 16th consecutive double-double, with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Rob Poole and Evan Hymes each scored 15 points for the Saints (5-5, 10-10).

The Saints shot 49 percent (24-49) 

The Red Foxes (2-7, 7-13) were led by Chavaughn Lewis, who scored 21 points off the bench.

Siena heads to Rider on Sunday, for a 2 p.m. tip.

ALBANY - Siena has led from the start in this game.

Marist started shooting terribly from the field, but bounced back and this is a game headed to the second half. 

Rob Poole hit double figures first for Siena. He has 10 points at halftime, while OD Anosike has 13 points and five rebounds at halftime.

The Red Foxes started the game 1-for-14 from the field, but they finished the half 8-for-30 (26.7%).

Marist was led by Devin Price who has 11 points.

It should be a good second half.

Mike McMahon/The Record

The Siena men's basketball team looks to get back to .500, in the conference and overall this evening.

The game is a doubleheader with the women's game against Saint Peter's and likely won't start until 7:30 p.m., or so.

This is a very important game for the Saints, to build on the momentum they gathered in the victory over Iona and to carry into Sunday's road date, against Rider.

“Marist is a team that is better than last year," said Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro.

The Saints have posted some very solid conference wins, but they know that means nothing heading into a game they are favored in.

“The thing about the MAAC, anyone can win, said freshman point guard Evan Hymes. 

MARIST AT SIENA

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Times Union Center (8,444), Albany
Radio: TALK 1300-AM (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter)
2011-12 Records: Marist (2-6, 7-12) Siena (4-5, 9-10) 
Last Meeting: Siena 81, Marist 73 at Times Union Center, Albany, on Feb. 27, 2011 — Siena leads the all-time series 45-22

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
MARIST

No./Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
11, Isaiah Morton, G, Fr., 5-8, 8.4 
0, Devin Price, G, Jr., 6-1, 13.5
20, Jay Bowie, G/F, So., 6-5, 5.4 
15, Anell Alexis, G/F, So., 6-6, 5.6 
50, Adam Kemp, F, So., 6-10, 9.3 

SIENA

No./Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.   
5, Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 14.1 
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 13.2 
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-6, 5.6 
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 14.9 
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.3 

MAAC STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Iona, 7-2, 15-5
Loyola (Md), 7-2, 14-5
Manhattan, 7-2, 14-7
Fairfield, 5-3, 10-9
Rider, 5-5, 8-14
Siena, 4-5, 9-10
Niagara, 4-5, 9-12
St. Peter’s, 3-7, 4-17
Marist, 2-6, 7-12
Canisius, 1-8, 4-15

Thursday’s Scores

Rider 90, St. Peter’s 55

Today’s Games

Marist at Siena, 7 p.m.
Iona at Fairfield (ESPNU), 7 p.m.
Loyola (Md.) at Niagara, 7 p.m.
Manhattan at Canisius, 7:15 p.m.

ALBANY - Ryan Rossiter and the rest of the Siena seniors go out on a high note.

Rossiter and Clarence Jackson came out of the game with a little more than 30 seconds to play, to a standing ovation.

It will be the final time they play in downtown Albany, where they went 53-12 in their careers.

Rossiter scored a career-high 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

In the final minute, he broke Troy native Billy Harrell's 61-year single-season record. Rossiter now has 388 rebounds in his senior season.

Anell Alexis scored a team-high 22 points for the Red Foxes, who will play Niagara in the first men's game of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament, Friday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m.

ALBANY - The Saints aren't playing for anything, in terms of seeding or finish in the standings.

At times, their play looks like they know they aren't playing for anything.

Siena got good play from Ryan Rossiter and O.D. Anosike, but not really anyone else in the first half and trail the Red Foxes.

Coach Mitch Buonaguro picked up his first technical foul of the season as Marist was on a 7-0 run, to take a 32-25 lead.

The Red Foxes were led by Dorvell Carter and Anell Alexis, who each scored nine points in the first half.

The Saints got into the bounus in the first eight minutes as Marist was fouling like crazy.

Rossiter scored 10 of the Saints' first 14 points and finished the half with a game-high 13. Anosike chipped in 10 and Clarence Jackson chipped in five.

Siena has defeated rival Marist eight times in a row and they'll need a comeback in the second half, to make it nine.

POUGHKEEPSIE - Clarence Jackson finally played for Siena and it was just what the team needed.

The senior co-captain scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Saints to a 66-59 victory over rival Marist at the McCann Center on Friday night.

Jackson had missed six straight games, but finished with five 3-pointers in 26 minutes off of the bench.

He also became the 37th player in program history to score 1,000 career points.

The Red Foxes (3-3, 4-14) made it really tight in the second half, closing to one, 55-54 with less than three minutes to play.

Jackson answered with a 3-pointer and Siena pulled away.

Ryan Rossiter added a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebound and O.D. Anosike finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for the Saints (3-3, 6-10).

Sam Prescott led four Marist players with 15 points, while Adam Kemp finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds going up against Rossiter.

Siena hosts Canisius on Monday in Albany.

POUGHKEEPSIE - Siena is once again finding out that any conference game on the road this season will be a challenge.

Ryan Rossiter and O.D. Anosike hurt Marist down low early in the half.

Clarence Jackson didn't start for Siena, but did play 11 minutes and took three shots, making two.

Jackson made his first shot, a 3-pointer, with 6:08 remaining in the first half to give Siena a 25-19 lead.

The Red Foxes went on a run to cut the lead to one, 27-26.

Marist probably should have taken the lead, but they missed the front end of two 1+1 opportunities and missed a free throw trying to covert a 3-point play.

Jackson hit another 3-pointer later in the half and is just two points shy of 1,000 for his career.

Rossiter has 10 for the Saints, who are trying to snap a five-game road losing streak.

Dorvell Carter had nine points for the Red Foxes.