EDISON, NJ (Feb. 25, 2023) – With the regular season winding down, the penultimate weekend of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men’s basketball league play tipped off Friday night with several outcomes playing roles in shaping the MAAC postseason race. The night was headlined by a top-two battle on ESPNU in which Rider University outlasted Siena College to give the Broncs sole possession of second place and secure an opening round bye in the MAAC tournament. Additionally, Iona University topped Mount St. Mary’s on the road, keeping the Gaels’ two-game cushion for the No. 1 seed intact, while Niagara University beat Fairfield University at home, allowing the Purple Eagles’ to maintain their spot in fifth-place and keep the final first round bye in hand.
 
Canisius (8-19, 6-12 MAAC) – 66 | Saint Peter’s (10-16, 5-12 MAAC) – 53
Koessler Athletic Center | BUFFALO, NY
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Canisius Recap
Saint Peter’s Recap
 
Canisius never trailed in a 66-53 win over Saint Peter's in MAAC action Friday night at the Koessler Athletic Center. The Griffs have won three out of four and improve 6-12 in MAAC play, while the Peacocks slipped to 5-12 in conference action with their third-straight loss. Jacco Fritz scored a team-high 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Canisius, followed by Siem Uijtendaal who added 12 points. Saint Peter's Isiah Dasher led all scorers with 14 points in the defeat.
 
Iona (21-7, 14-3 MAAC) – 80 | Mount St. Mary’s (10-19, 6-12 MAAC) – 68
Knott Arena | EMMITSBURG, MD
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Iona Recap
Mount St. Mary’s Recap
 
Iona used a strong second half to hold off Mount St. Mary's 80-68 in MAAC action at Knott Arena Friday night. The Gaels won their eighth straight MAAC game and improved to 14-3 in the MAAC, keeping a two-game lead in the standings with only three games remaining. The Mount falls to 6-12 in conference play following the defeat. The Mount led by five at the half, but the Gaels outscored the Mountaineers 49-22 in final 20 minutes to pick up the win. Walter Clayton Jr. led all scorers with a game-high 28 points, Daniss Jenkins had 15 points, Osborn Shema posted 14 points, and Nelly Junior Joseph netted 11 points to lead Iona. Jalen Benjamin led the Mount with 27 points, while Deandre Thomas and Malik Jefferson had 12 points apiece.
 
Marist (10-17, 6-12 MAAC) – 81 | Manhattan (10-16, 8-9 MAAC) – 58
Draddy Gymnasium | RIVERDALE, NY
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Marist Recap
Manhattan Recap
 
Marist picked up a convincing 81-58 victory at Manhattan on Friday at Draddy Gymnasium. The win was the largest margin of victory for the Red Foxes this season, as the team moves to 6-12 in the MAAC. The Jaspers drop to 8-9 in the MAAC with the setback. Marist led by six at the break but used a 16-3 run in the second half to help the road team cruise to a dominate 49-32 second half advantage and the victory. Four Red Foxes were in double figures led by 25 points by Patrick Gardner, while Stephane Ingo poured in a career-high 17 points, Noah Harris scored 15 points and Javon Cooley chipped in with 10 points. Josh Roberts was Manhattan’s top scorer with 14 points, Marques Watson added 13 points, and Samir Stewart accounted for 10 points. 
 
Niagara (15-12, 10-8 MAAC) – 76 | Fairfield (12-16, 8-10 MAAC) – 68
Gallagher Center | NIAGARA UNIV., NY
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Niagara Recap
Fairfield Recap
 
Niagara defeated Fairfield 76-68 Friday night in MAAC basketball action inside the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles used a strong shooting performance in the second half, going off for a season-high 57.7 percent shooting from the field and 82.4 percent from the line to earn the win. Niagara improved to 10-8, while Fairfield fell to 8-10, giving the Purple Eagles some space between them and both the Stags and Jaspers for the No. 5 seed and final first round bye. Niagara was led by Noah Thomasson’s game-high 25 points, followed by 19 points from Braxton Bayless and Joe Kasperzyk’s 11 points. The Stags were led by 17 points apiece from Allan Jeanne-Rose and TJ Long.
 
Rider (15-11, 12-5 MAAC) – 69 | Siena (17-11, 11-6 MAAC) – 66
Alumni Gymnasium | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ
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Rider Recap
Siena Recap
 
Rider earned a 69-66 win over Siena Friday night at Alumni Gym on ESPNU in the MAAC Game of the Week. With the win, the Broncs take sole possession of second place in the MAAC at 12-5, one game ahead of the Saints who now sit at 11-6 in the MAAC. Rider also locked up a top-five seed in the MAAC Championship field with the win, clinching an opening round bye. Siena built an early 9-3 lead over Rider to open the contest but the Broncs would use a 10-2 run and late 14-3 run while outscoring the Saints 34-18 over the final 15 minutes of the half to take a comfortable 10-point lead into the break. Siena would turn the tables at the start of the second, going on a 16-4 rally that would give the Saints a 58-51 lead. Rider once again responded, this time with an 11-3 outburst making it a one-point game down the final stretch. Rider would close out the game with late free throws, a forced five-second violation, and a game clinching steal into a fast break layup to cap off the night. Allen Powell scored a season-high 24 points, while Dwight Murray Jr. added 17 points and Mervin James tallied 14 points to lead Rider. Siena was led by Andrew Platek’s 14 point and 13 points by Jackson Stormo.
 
The 2022-23 campaign culminates with the 2023 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships from March 7-11 at Atlantic City's Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for the fourth consecutive year. For all information regarding the 2023 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, please visit MAACSports.com/basketball and by following @MAACHoops and #MAACHoops on Twitter. For tickets to the 2023 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, please visit ticketmaster.com.
 
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 42nd year of competition during the 2022-23 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
 
Stay up to date with the MAAC on social media by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit MAACSports.com for all the latest MAAC news.