ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — A pivotal Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament showdown is set for Sunday when rivals Fairfield and Siena meet with nearly identical records and a recent split of their season series.

The seed Saints (21-11) and seed Stags (21-12) will tip off at Boardwalk Hall, with the winner advancing in the conference tournament. Interstat’s ELO system gives Siena a slight edge, projecting a 54.70 percent probability to win.

The teams arrive on contrasting trajectories. Fairfield is buoyed by a 74-55 road rout of Saint Peter’s on Friday, led by a career-high 26 points from sophomore forward Brandon Benjamin. Siena, meanwhile, grinded out a 63-58 home win over Mount Saint Mary’s on Saturday.

Benjamin has emerged as a key figure for the Stags, averaging 17.8 points over his last five games. His 26-point performance marked his third game with 18 or more points in that stretch. Siena counters with dynamic guard Justice Shoats, who is averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 assists per game. Shoats logged 38 minutes and dished six assists in Saturday’s win.

The season series is tied 1-1, with each team defending its home court. Siena won 85-77 on Jan. 19 in Loudonville, but Fairfield claimed a decisive 72-58 victory on Feb. 27 in Bridgeport. In that most recent meeting, Shoats was held to nine points for the Saints.

Fairfield’s recent form has been inconsistent, with a concerning 47-point output in a loss to Mount Saint Mary’s on March 1 sandwiched between high-scoring wins. Siena has won three of its last four, with the lone loss being the defeat at Fairfield.

The neutral court setting at Boardwalk Hall adds an unpredictable element. The stakes extend beyond the rivalry, as both teams seek to improve their positioning for potential postseason play.