ALBANY, N.Y. - Siena point guard Ronald Moore's nickname is "The Maestro" and, now, Fairfield, a large Times Union Center crowd and the television viewing audience knows why.
Moore, a 5-foot-11 junior, was magical Sunday night, dishing out assists Siena's first six baskets.
The helping hand didn't stop feeding teammates after that, either, as Moore finished with a MAAC Tournament single-game record of 14, surpassing the previous mark of 13 set by another Siena player, Doremus Bennerman on March 5, 1994 also against Fairfield.
Moore's work, and the uptempo full-court attack by the Saints was something Fairfield couldn't begin to match up with Sunday night in a semifinal-round contest here as Siena romped, 80-65.
Moore finished with 10 first-half assists and by then the winners had a 48-24 advantage.
The Stags finally got the margin under 20 late in the second half, but by then Moore had already tied the single-game record for assists and, then, broke it with 2:47 remaining on a pass that resulted in an Alex Franklin basket.
About the only suspense in the contest came at the 17:16 mark of the second half when Siena's senior guard Kenny Hasbrouck, the conference's Player of the Year, stole a pass at midcourt and took a hit to his right leg. Hasbrouck left the court limping and didn't return.
Saints' coach Fran McCaffery said that Hasbrouck was in pain immediately after the game, and his status for Monday's championship game was not yet certain.
Clarence Jackson, the MAAC's Sixth Player of the Year, led the Saints with 16 points, followed by junior forwards Edwin Ubiles and Fraklin (15 and 13 each), sophomore forward Ryan Rossiter and Moore (12 each).
Moore recorded his 14 assists against just four turnovers.
Fairfield senior Herbie Allen led the Stags, who finish 17-15 overall, with 19 points.
Siena is now 25-7.
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