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The Siena Saints closed out their home schedule with a flurry last weekend, and the whole country was able to see it. In a game nationally televised on ESPN2, Siena defeated Northern Iowa of the Missouri Valley Conference 81-75 in front of over 8,000 fans, finishing the regular season undefeated at home. 

The game was part of the ESPNU BracketBuster series, which pits mid-major conference teams against one another in non-conference match-ups sponsored and televised by ESPN. The Saints, who clinched their second consecutive regular season MAAC Champion-ship earlier in the week, made a strong statement against the Northern Iowa Panthers, who came into the game tied for first place in their respective conference. 

Thanks to a smothering defense and a dominating offense, Siena took a 40-19 lead into the half. Northern Iowa made a run in the second half, but it wasn't enough.
Senior Kenny Hasbrouck led Siena with 16 points and was one of four Siena players in double figures. Sophomore Clarence Jackson finished with 14 points, including four three-pointers; Ryan Rossiter contributed 11 and Edwin Ubiles dropped 10. 

The win improved Siena to 22-6 and extended their regular season home winning streak to 15 games. The Saints also won three games in the MAAC Tournament last year, which was located at the Times Union Center in Albany, but due to tournament rules these are not considered home games. Overall, Siena has won 18 games in a row at the Times Union Center.

The Saints finish their regular season with road games this weekend against Niagara and Canisius; then it's back to the TUC for the MAAC Champion-ships. Siena will look to win the tournament for the second year in a row and receive an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament. 

Should the Saints lose in that tournament, they would receive an automatic bid to the NIT Tournament. Siena would also stand a slim chance at receiving an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament.

Siena will play their first game of the MAAC Championships Mar. 7. Tickets for both the men and women's tournament are available at the TUC box office. The tournament will be held Mar. 6-9.[[In-content Ad]]

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