GAME NOTES: The Rider Broncs finally get going in the 34th annual Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon as they battle the Saint Peter's Peacocks at the Times Union Center.

Rider, this year's second seed in the event, is already into the quarterfinals thanks to a successful 15-5 regular season in the MAAC. The team managed to close out with a 59-49 win over Marist last weekend, its second straight victory and the seventh in the last eight outings.

Last year, Rider won a tournament game for the first time since 2011, as it defeated newcomer Monmouth, 71-60, in the first round. The team was bounced in the next round however, when Iona delivered a blowout 94-71 decision, which means the Broncs enter this year's affair with a record of 12-17 and still shooting for that first elusive championship.

As for the Peacocks, the seventh seed, they are already off to a positive start with a massive 63-33 thrashing of Fairfield two days ago. The win was the second in a row for the team, after losing four straight down the stretch. Saint Peter's is now 30-31 in the tournament all-time, resulting in three championships, that last of which was realized in 2011 versus Iona (62-57).

Rider leads the all-time series with the Peacocks by a 31-24 margin, winning three in a row dating back to last season. The most recent encounter took place on Jan. 29 with the Broncs posting a 58-49 win on the road. Less than three weeks earlier Rider scored a 68-55 at home as well.

The winner of this meeting will head to the semifinals on Sunday to do battle with the survivor of the Marist/Manhattan for the right to compete in the title game on Monday night.

To say that the Saint Peter's defense stepped up on Thursday would be an understatement, as the unit held Fairfield to a meager 33 points on 22.7 percent shooting from the field. The Stags were allowed a mere 10 field goals, 3-of-20 shooting behind the 3-point line, while being forced into 13 turnovers.

The Peacocks didn't exactly explode on offense, especially since none of the starters finished in double figures, but still the balance was more than enough to cruise to the victory. Quadir Welton came off the bench and registered both 13 points and seven rebounds, followed by Trevis Wyche with 12 points and five boards.

Desi Washington, who was held to just six points on 2-of-10 from the floor versus Fairfield, is still considered one of the top scoring threats for the Peacocks with his 13.8 ppg, over the course of 23 appearances. Marvin Dominique, who was also held to single digits, checks in with 13.9 ppg and is the top rebounder with 7.5 rpg.

The Broncs are much more of a defensive-oriented squad, limiting foes to only 63.6 ppg, but when you consider they are one of the worst free-throw shooting squads in the nation at just 60.5 percent, they really have no other choice. Matt Lopez (12.3 ppg) had been the leading scorer for the unit, but a sprained right knee will keep him out of action. With Lopez out of the picture, the Broncs desperately need someone else to step up and be a factor on offense and that person could be Teddy Okereafor who placed second on the squad with 11.3 ppg, although his mere 38,9 percent accuracy from the floor was a concern. Jimmie Taylor was responsible for another 10.6 ppg, thanks to 40.6 percent shooting beyond the arc, but the Broncs will need more than just the pair to advance.

Rider is not at full strength, but having had added time to rest and regroup should help, although if the Saint Peter's defense is anything like it was in the first game of the tourney the higher seed had better be prepared.