CBI Tournament Champions

A look into the Saints first national postseason tournament championship

I grew up around Albany and my Mom attended college at Siena in the 80s.  When I was two years old my parents started taking me to Siena men’s basketball games, mostly just to get out of the house.  But as I got older I ended up getting really into it and eventually knew more about basketball, the Siena team, and the coaching staff than my parents did.  I’ve always hated winter, so Siena basketball has continued to be one of the few upsides to the harsh upstate climate.  Although the past few seasons had losing records, I was still eagerly looking forward to see what the new coach and freshmen could bring this year: and it was definitely rewarding.

With a loss to Canisius in the quarterfinal of the MAAC tournament this year, everyone thought the Siena men’s basketball season was over.  Siena was picked in the coach’s preseason poll to finish the season 10^th out of the 11 teams in the MAAC considering the losing records of previous years, the new head coach this season, and the very young team.  However, after a hard fought season with countless games coming down to the wire, Siena fans were content with the rally the team made to land an impressive 5^th place in the MAAC.  And everyone thought it was over, until an invitation to the College Basketball Invitational post-season tournament sparked new interest.  Not only were the Saints given an opportunity to continue a building season, but the fans were also thrilled that these games would be decided on their home floor at the Times Union Center. 

After fending off Stony Brook, Penn State, and Illinois State on their home court, the Saints made it to the championship of the CBI tournament against Fresno State, a title that would be given after a series of games, best two out of three.  The first game of the series required the Saints to fly across the country to play at Fresno State in California, where the Saints were seen as the slight underdogs especially considering their lack of home court advantage the team has been known to thrive on.  Shockingly, the Saints sliced a twelve point second half deficit to win 61-57 on the road.  This was a huge win, the one we desperately wanted, and it stirred up overwhelming hype back in Loudonville.  The second, and potentially final game would be played back on the Saints home court, but not the home court they’ve been used to.  Due to scheduling conflicts with the Times Union Center, it was decided the second game of the series would be played on the Siena campus at the Alumni Recreation Center. 

When tickets went on sale for the game, hundreds of fans and students lined up to get their hands on tickets to the first men’s basketball game played on campus in 17 years.  Fans started rallying into the gym two hours before the game, and by tip off it was so loud the announcer couldn’t even be heard over the booming chants from the stands.  Unfortunately, the team did not take well to this change in atmosphere and came up short of the win forcing a game three.  Game three of the CBI tournament championship was also to be decided on the Saints home floor, and this time they came ready to play.  Eleven seconds into the game the Saints took the lead with a Brett Bisping three-pointer and never looked back.  Patsos and the Saints held this lead the entire game and eventually ended with an 81-68 victory over Fresno State.  And the crowd went wild.  Fans stormed the court as “We are the Champions” blared through the loud speakers.  The emotion became even more vivid when the trophies were presented and the nets were cut down.  Siena fans eventually filed out of the ARC satisfied with the joy of this unlikely end to a building season and renewed with hope to see how this team will perform next year.

The student section in the ARC was packed for the first men's basketball game on campus in 17 years.

Brett Bisping warms up with a layup before the game.

Evan Hymes, the 5'8" point guard, reaches the rim in warm ups.

The Saint's Imoh Silas jumps for tipoff against Fresno State's Alex Davis.

Siena's Rob Poole attempts a three-pointer over Fresno State's Marvelle Harris.

The Siena cheer team performs during a media timeout.

Evan Hymes drives on the baseline and attempts to make a pass out to Javion Ogunyemi.

Siena's Ryan Oliver has a baseline jumper contested by Fresno State.

Lavon Long looks to pass the ball in as Imoh Silas struggles to get open.