Bucknell, Siena to Play Men’s Basketball Game at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza; Contest is Part of Challenging Non-Conference Schedule

LEWISBURG, Pa. – After a 19-year absence, NCAA Division I men's basketball is returning to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area as Bucknell and Siena have agreed to play a neutral-site game at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza on Saturday evening, Nov. 30. The Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau and Geisinger are the presenting sponsors for the game. Tickets will go on sale at a date to be announced.

Second-year head coach John Griffin III brings in a Bucknell squad that is expected to be among the favorites in the Patriot League this season after the Bison finished in a tie for second place in the regular-season standings a year ago. Meanwhile, Siena is under the direction of first-year head coach Gerry McNamara, the former Syracuse standout who is a native of Scranton and a graduate of Bishop Hannan High School (now Holy Cross High School).

"We are very excited to announce that we have finalized a game with Gerry McNamara and his Siena basketball program," said Griffin. "Our two programs boast strong followings and a rich history in college basketball. Gerry is a basketball icon in Scranton, having set numerous scoring records and winning a state championship during his high school days. I am confident that Gerry will excel in leading the Siena program, and I am thrilled that we were able to make this game a reality in his first year as a head coach. The Scranton community will undoubtedly show up to support the great Gerry Mac, and I think the fans will be treated to an outstanding college basketball game."

"I am so excited to bring Siena Basketball to compete in my hometown in my first year as head coach," said McNamara. "The last time that a Division I men's basketball game was played there was when we came my senior year at Syracuse and, in typical Northeast Pennsylvania fashion, more than 8,000 people showed up to support. It's an incredible area of passionate sports fans, and those people helped raise me. Any chance I get to come back home is a blessing, but this opportunity is very special."

Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza is an 8,300-seat facility located in Wilkes-Barre Township. The arena is the home of the American Hockey League's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, along with numerous concerts and other events throughout the year. The PIAA District 2 basketball championships have been held in the venue for the last nine years, but the last Division I college basketball game played there was on Dec. 27, 2005, when McNamara's Syracuse team defeated Towson 86-52 before a crowd of more than 8,200.

"This is a great day for basketball and collegiate athletics in Northeast PA and our region," said Stephen Poremba, general manager of Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza. "Nineteen years ago, we welcomed our first NCAA Division I men's basketball game to our venue featuring a sold-out crowd welcoming two of our area's most decorated student-athletes, Gerry McNamara and Tim Crossin. It's been a long time coming for this day, and I am very proud of the efforts made by the representatives and administrators of both Bucknell University and Siena College along with our ASM Global team for this partnership. We look forward to welcoming some of the nation's best student-athletes to our region this fall."

The Siena game is one of 12 on a difficult non-conference schedule for the Bison, with one additional date still pending. Bucknell is slated to play three road games against major-conference opponents with storied traditions: Kentucky (Nov. 9), Maryland (Nov. 27), and Syracuse (Dec. 28). The Bison open the season on Monday, Nov. 4 at Delaware, and then travel to Southern Indiana and Kentucky for a two-game road trip later that week.

The 2024-25 home opener is slated for Wednesday, Nov. 13 against Mount St. Mary's, and the Bison will also host Richmond (Nov. 16), NJIT (Nov. 21), Rider (Nov. 23), and St. Bonaventure (Dec. 4) in Sojka Pavilion.

Information regarding season and single-game ticket sales will be announced in the coming weeks.

Bucknell 2024-25 Non-Conference Schedule

Nov. 4 at Delaware
Nov. 7 at Southern Indiana
Nov. 9 at Kentucky
Nov. 13 home vs. MOUNT ST. MARY'S
Nov. 16 home vs. RICHMOND
Nov. 21 home vs. NJIT
Nov. 23 home vs. RIDER
Nov. 27 at Maryland
Nov. 30 vs. Siena at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Dec. 4 home vs. ST. BONAVENTURE
Dec. 8 at Radford
Dec. 21 at Away Opponent TBA
Dec. 28 at Syracuse

Bucknell, Siena to Play Men’s Basketball Game at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza; Contest is Part of Challenging Non-Conference Schedule

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