The Iona Gaels play host to the Siena Saints on Sunday night in a crucial MAAC showdown on Sunday afternoon from Hynes Athletics Center. These two sit in the top three in the conference standings and while the Gaels seem poised to come away with the title, the Saints will aim to spring the upset. Siena sprung the upset in the lone meeting this season, while winning two in a row in the series overall, as the Gaels will be eyeing revenge and extending their own eight-game winning streak. This expects to be the top matchup in the MAAC on Sunday and one fans will definitely want to tune in for.
After stunning the Gaels last month, Siena has their eyes set on making it a season sweep of the top team in the conference on Sunday. Going on the road will certainly make things more difficult in the rematch, especially as they sit with just a 7-6 record in road games this season. It also doesn't help matters that they've lost two in a row heading into this weekend tilt, as they continue their road weekend. Both of those losses came by three points, and with their last four losses all coming by either one possession or in overtime, it's clear that this group has a knack for the close ones. They head into this one sitting third in the conference standings and with March quickly approaching, a win would be crucial.
The Saints continue to navigate a pair of injuries as they continue the road trip as well. Both Taihland Owens (knee) and Jordan Kellier (foot) went down on January 18th and both remain out inde finitely. While the loss of Owens hasn't seemed to impact this group, being without Kellier has tested their depth at times. While far from being a high-impact player, his size has been nice off the bench.
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— Siena Saints (@SienaSaints) February 25, 2023
In the first meeting, the rebounding advantage proved to be key for the Saints, and they'll aim to replicate that in this one. Siena has the ability to control the offensive glass and with their likely struggles elsewhere on the offensive end in this one, generating those second-chance points might be their key to another win. The defense has been strong in its own right and even though they'll be on the road, controlling the pace and slowing this game down will be needed. Javian McCollum (15 ppg) is one of the best scorers in the conference but the lack of frontcourt impact has been felt of late. Until they can find help for Jackson Stormo (13.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg), they could have trouble keeping pace in this one.
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