Who: Siena (18-9, 11-5) at Rider (11-16, 7-9)

When: Friday, 7 p.m., Alumni Gymnasium

TV/Radio: ESPN3/ 107.7 FM The Bronc

Last Time Out: Rider def. Niagara, 77-59; Siena def. Iona, 81-78.

Series This Year: Siena used a late 11-0 run to win the first meeting, 63-52, in Albany and are looking for the season sweep.


Scouting Siena: The Saints have vaulted into third place despite playing most of the conference season without star point guard Marquis Wright, who suffered a stress fracture in his foot. Wright, however, is expected to return to the active roster Friday night. How much he plays is still to be determined. The junior has missed the last 15 games with the injury. When he does get on the floor, Wright is one of the most dynamic players in the league. He averaged 17.3 points in 12 games before going down. Even without him, Jimmy Patsos (always worth the price of admission) has gotten solid contributions from four other players scoring in double figures. Keep an eye out for 6-5 freshman guard Nico Clareth off the bench. He's one of the fornt-runners for MAAC Rookie of the Year, posting 13.4 points per game.

Scouting Rider: Siena may be getting one of its best players back, but the Broncs will have to make due without one of theirs. Senior guard Zedric Sadler injured his ankle against Niagara when he landed on top of another player coming down with a rebound. The good news: he didn't break any bones and the hope is he can return before the end of the regular season. A tight bench gets even shorter now. Coach Kevin Baggett was already using an eight-man rotation and if Sadler's out for an extended period of time, he'll have to make due with only eight available players. Rider has already lost two players to season-ending injuries and a third transferred midseason. Watch the battle down low where the Broncs' Kahlil Thomas (11.3/ 8.2) will be matched against the Saints' Javion Ogunyemi (14.8/ 6.0) and Brett Bisping (15.7/ 9.6)