Siena Sweeps Pepsi Zero MAAC Men's Basketball Weekly Awards
Player of the Week
Evan Fisher, Siena
Sr., Pasadena, MD/McDonogh School
Fisher averaged 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in leading Siena to a perfect 3-0 week which included a pair of road wins. Fisher scored a game-high 18 points Monday as the Saints completed the regular season series sweep of Fairfield. On Friday, he scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half to lead Siena to the road triumph and series sweep of Manhattan. Fisher concluded his stellar week by scoring a game-high 21 points and adding eight rebounds and a pair of blocks to lead the Saints, who were predicted to finish last according to the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, to a key road triumph at defending regular season co-champion and unanimous preseason favorite Rider. Fisher's strong performance has Siena on a four-game winning streak and just a half game out of first place in the MAAC Standings.
Rookie of the Week
Jalen Pickett, Siena
Fr., Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute (SPIRE Institute (OH))
Pickett averaged 10.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.7 steals in a perfect 3-0 week for the Saints. On Monday, he scored 13 points and added five rebounds to help Siena complete the regular season series sweep of Fairfield. Pickett broke a 47-all tie midway through the second half with consecutive three-point plays to spark an 8-0 run which put the game away. On Friday, he tallied nine points and dished out three assists as the Saints completed the season sweep of Manhattan in Riverdale. Pickett again was clutch late, hitting a pair of free throws in the final 10 seconds to secure the win. Pickett concluded the week with an eight-point, six-assist performance to lead Siena, which was predicted to finish last according to the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, to a key road triumph over reigning regular season co-champion and unanimous preseason favorite Rider. Pickett registered a key block of Stevie Jordan with 17 seconds remaining on a play that would have given the Broncs the lead.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 38
th year of competition during the 2018-19 academic year. Current Conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.