Siena Saints (9-18, 9-10 MAAC) at Monmouth Hawks (14-14, 9-10 MAAC)
Saturday, March 5, 2022 – 2 p.m. EST
OceanFirst Bank Center, West Long Branch, N.J.
 
TV
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Greg Mescall
Analyst: Chris Williams
 
Monmouth Notes
 
MONMOUTH COVID-19 POLICIES
Monmouth University has announced its campus-wide indoor event COVID-19 policies.
 
The following policies are in effect until further notice:

1. All fans 18 and over are required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test administered by a doctor's office or a clinic within 72 hours of the event time for indoor Athletic events. Home test kit results will not be accepted.
2. All event audiences must wear a mask that completely covers the nose and mouth of the participant. Face shields are not acceptable. This includes fans from 2-17 years of age.
3. Athletic events held in the OceanFirst Bank Center will be permitted to have food in the stands as long as masks remain on when the participant is not actively consuming food or beverages. Masks must be worn otherwise.
 
Men's and women's basketball season ticket holders will be mailed (and emailed) instructions on how to obtain a vaccine credential which will require them to show their vaccine cards once and receive a credential to speed up entrance to events. Season ticket holders who are not vaccinated will need to show proof a negative test within 72 hours of the event for every event attended.
 
Additionally, there will be separate entrances for students, season ticket holders and the general public. More information on those locations will be available on MonmouthHawks.com

OPENING TIP
-A victory against the Saints would give the Hawks their ninth home win of the season, the most in West Long Branch since the 2012-13 squad won nine. It would also be Monmouth's 10th MAAC win of the season, the most for the program since the 2015-16 team won 11.
-Monmouth currently has 14 wins on the season, the most for the program since the 2018-19 campaign. A win over Siena would give the Hawks 15 for the year, a mark that hasn't been hit since the 2016-17 season when the team finished 15-16 overall.
-The Hawks halted a skid and captured a 52-44 home win over Marist in their most-recent outing.
-Siena has won three of its last four, including a 69-58 home win over Saint Peter's on Thursday. The Saints have won just three road games this year in 14 outings though, with the latest coming on Jan. 20 at Rider.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-Saturday's matchup between Monmouth and Siena marks the 26th all-time meeting between the two sides and the second this season.
-Siena secured the win in the first meeting after besting Monmouth, 61-54, on Feb. 3 in Loudonville, N.Y. Stella Clark had a game-high 21 points in the contest while Ariana Vanderhoop chipped in with 10 in the scoring column.    
-Since the Hawks joined the MAAC for the 2013-14 season, 12 of the last 15 games between Monmouth and Siena have been decided by single digits.  
-Monmouth has won two of the last three outings against Siena at OceanFirst Bank Center.    
 
HONORING THE SENIOR CLASS
Prior to the game against Siena, Monmouth will honor its five-member senior class of Stella Clark, Brianna Livingston, Jen Louro, Lucy Thomas and Alexa Wallace. This season, the class has accounted for 42 percent of the scoring, 48 percent of the assists and 37 percent of the rebounds for Monmouth.
 
WINNING THE BATTLE OF THE BOARDS
Monmouth showcased its physicality on the glass in the 52-44 home win over Marist on Wednesday night, reeling in 51 boards compared to Marist's 30. The 51 rebounds tied a season-best mark for the Hawks and it was the third time this year that Monmouth corralled 50 or more rebounds in a game. It's the most 50-rebound games in a season for the Hawks since the 2018-19 campaign when the team accomplished the feat on three separate occasions. The +21-rebounding margin was the largest for the program since Feb. 19, 2019 when Monmouth outrebounded Saint Peter's, 53-28 (+25).  
 
BELLE'S EFFICIENCY AT HOME
Sophomore center Belle Kranbuhl has been Monmouth's most efficient scorer in home games this season. In 12 home outings, Kranbuhl is shooting 55 percent from the field while averaging 9.4 points per game. In the Hawks' last two games, she is shooting 16-of-18 (89%) from the field. She has recorded three performances this season with over five made baskets in a game while recording just one miss.