Semifinals Set For Men's Basketball Championship

3/9/2014 5:18:00 AM

MAAC Sports

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The semifinals are set for the 2014 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, to be played Sunday at 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN3.

For the first time since the 2011 Championship, and only the third time since the 2004 Championship, all four top seeds have advanced to the semifinals.

The first game of the semifinals will feature top-seeded Iona facing 4^th-seeded Canisius at 4:30 p.m. The Gaels advanced with a 94-71 triumph over 8^th-seeded Rider. Tre Bowman poured in 28 points, Sean Armand scored 20 and David Laury added 18 points and 11 rebounds to spur the victory. Canisius advanced to the semifinals with a 71-65 victory over 5^th-seeded Siena, behind 17 points from Billy Baron and 10 points and 11 rebounds from Chris Manhertz.

Iona and Canisius split during the regular season, with each team winning on the opposite team’s home court. The Golden Griffins defeated Iona at the Hynes Center in January, 85-83, while the Gaels returned the favor in February by defeating Canisius at the Koessler Athletic Center, 101-91.

The second game will pit No. 2 seed Manhattan against No. 3 seed Quinnipiac. The Jaspers advanced to the semifinals with a 72-58 win over 7^th-seeded Saint Peter’s in the quarterfinal round. Rhamel Brown scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Michael Alvarado contributed 17 points, to pace the Jaspers. Quinnipiac advanced with a

Quinnipiac swept the season series with Manhattan. The Bobcats scored an 81-76 victory at the T.D. Bank Sports Center on January 9, and then took the rematch at Draddy Gym, 90-86, in overtime, on January 26.

The top four seeds in the championship advanced to the semifinal round in 2004, and then again in 2007, before a five-year hiatus.

All four semifinal teams have won at least 20 games this season. Manhattan is 23-7, Iona is 21-7, Canisius is 21-11 and Quinnipiac is 20-10.