MAAC: Siena and Fairfield advance to semi-finals

Siena Saints 89 - Manhattan Jaspers 76

The three-seed Siena Saints knocked off the defending champion six-seed Manhattan Jaspers in front of a very energetic home crowd in Albany in the first of two MAAC Championship quarter final matches on Saturday night.

The Jaspers who trailed most of the game found themselves down 66-50 with just over 11 minutes to play in the game. But a strong effort capped by a Shane Richard's three would pull the Jasper to within 73-30 with just over 5 minutes remaining.

The Saints would then go on a 7-0 run of their own to extend the lead and would make 10 free throws down the stretch to seal it. Brett Bisping lead all scorers with 22 points and 16 rebounds. Lavon Long and Javion Ogunyemi also scored in double digits with 17 and 16 respectively.

The Jaspers were lead by Rich Williams who had 26 points despite sitting out most of the first half with foul trouble. Tyler Wilson also had a strong game for the Jaspers with 14 points, 4 assists and 0 turnovers.

The Saints will advance to play the two-seed Iona Gaels in the semi-finals on Sunday at 7:00pm on ESPN3.

Fairfield Stags 64 - St. Peter's Peacocks 55

The fourth quarter final of the MAAC Championship was held between the two surprise teams of this year's season. The fifth-seed Fairfield Stags were able to pull away in the final two minutes from the St. Peter's Peacocks to advance to the semi-finals.

After leading 35-27 at the end of the first half the Stags were able to extend their lead to 16 points (50-34) with just over 14 minutes remaining in the game. Thanks to a strong effort from Quadir Welton the Peacocks were able to battle all the way back. An Antwon Portley jumper made it 55-58 with one minute remaining. A Marcus Gilbert three-pointer on the ensuing possession would prove to be the Dagger as the Stags would go on to win 64-55.

Gilbert ended the night with 20 points to lead the Stags. Tyler Nelson added 15. Welton recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Peacocks in defeat.

The Saints will advance to play the one-seed Monmouth Hawks in the semi-finals on Sunday at 4:30pm on ESPN3.

Next Games (03/06/16):

(1) Monmouth Hawks vs. (5) Fairfield Stags, 4:30pm, ESPN3

(2) Iona Gaels vs. (3) Siena Saints, 7:00pm, ESPN3