GAME NOTES: The Siena Saints will try to close out a three-game road trip undefeated on Monday night when they travel to Rose Hill Gymnasium to take on the Fordham Rams.

After dropping its first two games of the season, Siena has pulled to 2-2 with back-to-back road wins over St. Bonaventure (73-70) and Loyola-Maryland (81-71). One more road victory for the Saints will already put them halfway to last season's road win total (6-9).

Fordham logged a victory over NJIT in its opener on Nov. 14, but since then it has slipped into a four-game losing streak. The Rams most recently fell at home to Maryland-Eastern Shore (72-66), a team that won only six games a season ago.

The Rams hold a 12-10 series advantage over the Saints, although Siena won last season's matchup at home, 79-69.

The Saints appeared to be in trouble down by nine in the second half to Loyola the last time out, but they climbed back to tie the game with under three minutes to play and then finished the game on a 15-5 run to capture the 10- point victory. They shot an impressive 46.6 percent from the field and knocked down 22-of-26 from the free-throw line in addition to committing just six turnovers. Pacing five players in double figures was Brett Bisping with 16 points to go with seven rebounds. Rob Poole poured in 15 points, Marquis Wright tallied 14 points and six assists, and Ryan Oliver and Lavon Long netted 11 and 10 points, respectively.

For the season, Siena boasts a strong offense with 79.2 ppg on 43.1 ppg, but it is usually involved in shootouts as it allows 80.0 ppg at the other end on 47.3 percent shooting. Luckily it keeps its mistakes to a minimum with an impressive +5.8 turnover margin. Poole (17.0 ppg) has been outstanding from the free-throw line (25-of-30), but much less so from 3-point range (5-of-19). Oliver (11.8 ppg), Long (10.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Wright (10.4 ppg, 6.5 apg) and Bisping (9.5 ppg) round out a balanced club.

The Rams fell behind by six at the half of their recent clash with UMES, and while they were able to get to within one possession of the lead on several occasions down the stretch, they never overtook the Hawks. They only managed to make 4-of-17 3-point attempts and shot themselves in the foot with a game- high 20 turnovers, all while UMES made 52.4 percent of its field goal tries. Eric Paschall shined in defeat by netting 25 points and grabbing six rebounds, while Mandell Thomas scored 13 and Antwoine Anderson finished with 10 points, five assists, five rebounds and four steals.

Fordham has struggled to light up the scoreboard this season, as it shoots a lowly 37.2 percent from the field, including 28.5 percent from beyond the arc, in netting 64.2 ppg. Furthermore, its defensive effort hasn't been all that impressive either (70.4 ppg). Paschall is the go-to scorer with 19.8 ppg while adding 6.3 ppg as well. Thomas (11.8 ppg) shoots a woeful 30.2 percent from the field, Chris Sengfelder brings 10.2 ppg to the table and Ryan Rhoomes mans the paint with 10.2 ppg and 10.4 rpg.

Fordham has proven so far this season that the homecourt advantage doesn't mean much, meaning the Saints should be able to continue their inspired play.