Siena Hosts Mount St. Mary's: A Nail-Biter of a Game!
Hey everyone! So, last weekend I finally got to see Siena College Saints take on the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers in person – and let me tell you, it was intense. I'm a huge Siena basketball fan, been following them for years, even through some, uh, less-than-stellar seasons. This one though? This one was different. It was a game for the ages, a real nail-biter.
The Atmosphere: Electric!
The atmosphere at the Times Union Center was absolutely electric. Seriously, the energy was contagious. You could feel the anticipation in the air, the collective holding of breath before every free throw. People were chanting, stomping their feet – you know, the whole shebang. I even saw a guy dressed as a giant Saint, which, honestly, was pretty awesome.
My Pre-Game Jitters (and Pizza!)
Before the game, I was a nervous wreck! I'd been looking forward to this all week, even went and grabbed my lucky Siena sweatshirt (it’s kinda faded now, but hey, it's sentimental). I grabbed a huge slice of pizza – you gotta fuel up for these things, right?– to calm my nerves. But man, even the pizza couldn't completely take the edge off. My hands were sweating. I was pacing.
The Game Itself: A Rollercoaster of Emotions!
Okay, so the game itself? Forget about it. It was a rollercoaster. Siena came out strong, hitting some impressive three-pointers early on. I thought, "this is it! This is our night!" Then, bam! Mount St. Mary's went on a crazy run, their defense was tight. Their point guard was practically unstoppable for a while there. I swear, my heart rate went up twenty points during that stretch. I was getting seriously stressed!
Those Crucial Free Throws...
And then came the final minutes. It all came down to free throws. Ugh. Free throws are the worst, aren't they? Every swoosh of the net felt like a tiny victory, every miss felt like a gut punch. There were several lead changes in those last few possessions, several nail biting moments. I literally had to sit down for a while.
The Sweet Taste of Victory (Or Not…)
Ultimately, Siena pulled it out! They won by a narrow margin – a single point if I remember correctly. What a relief! The feeling was amazing. Pure euphoria. The crowd erupted! Total pandemonium. People were high-fiving strangers. Pure joy. But remember that pre-game pizza? I think I actually threw up a little bit from the stress relief (don't judge me!). I'll never forget that game. It was insane.
Key Takeaways & Tips for Game Day
- Get there early: Seriously, the atmosphere builds up hours before the game begins.
- Wear your team colors: It's part of the experience! Plus, you'll blend in better with the screaming fans.
- Bring cash for concessions: You'll likely be spending time here, so don't get stuck without cash.
- Check parking info ahead of time: Avoid the headache!
- Don't forget the snacks: Fuel up before, during and after.
This Siena vs. Mount St. Mary's game was a true testament to the unpredictable nature of college basketball, and certainly a game that will stick with me forever! Go Saints! What about you guys? What's your favorite game-day memory? Let me know in the comments below!