Saints Crush Manhattan, Get Back on Track at Home
Albany NY- Another great weeknight for fans to head out to the TU and catch Siena play. Looking to snap at 3 game losing streak, it was time to bounce back against Manhattan. Siena the 10 point favorites coming in, took advantage of something they haven’t had in a couple games.
Siena got out to a hot start in the first half opening on an 8-2 and would end up scoring 24 points in the first 9 minutes. Siena shot better in the first half then they usually do. 51.7% from the field and 50% from 3PT. Another improving stat for the Saints in the first half was points in the point. Scoring inside a total of 20 times. Siena in the first played good transition defense. Something they had trouble locking up Monmouth with. Manhattan in the first had a tough time finding a consistent scorer. Turner and Capuano both added 7 in the first. Brett Bisping showed up in the first totaling 10 points. Siena led the entire first half, 41-29.
Probably a #SCTop10 nominee was when a woman hit the half-court shot to win the $500 gift card to Dunkin Doughnuts. But wait, there is more, the guy dressed in the coffee cup was the woman’s boyfriend. The boyfriend whipped out the ring and proposed right there on center court. She said yes!
In the second half, Siena opened the same way they started. Hot. Siena opened in a full court press, 2 seconds in, forcing Manhattan to call timeout. It was all Siena from there. Not allowing Manhattan to score for 8 straight minutes early in the second half, allowing them to jump out to a 20-point lead. Manhattan although kept their owns cutting it to 15 with 9 minutes left. Ogunyemi capped off the game with 5:40 left with an (almost) alley-oop dunk. Nico Clareth caught fire as well hitting back to back 3’s for the Saints with 3 minutes left. What got the crowd really going to end the game was the entering of Senior Jimmy Merrill, a graduate of Columbia.
The big thing for Siena tonight is that they had multiple scorers in double figures. Something they haven’t had at home. Brett Bisping made his presence felt when he finished with 17. And the 6th man of the year candidate Nico Clareth, stepped up off the bench and had 20 for the Saints.
After the game, my college, Jared McCabe got the chance to ask Coach Patsos, “You bounce back after a tough loss to Monmouth, did this game gain confidence for your team in that locker room going forward especially with the MAAC tournament approaching?”. Coach answered “It is all about confidence, and anytime you get a win you feel good. I thought tonight that Lavon was mentally engaged and was ready to go”. Confidence is key for Siena especially at home.
“The emphasis in practice is defiantly the full court press. That is something Jimmy really emphasizes. We call it 55 it is just like what Maryland used to run. We did a good job turning the ball over a few times”. Bisping added after the game. “Winning builds confiedence, so hopefully we can get another big win Saturday”.
Siena looks to breakout and start a home winning streak when they get back at the TU on Saturday against Niagara. For continued coverage of Siena, stay with Upstate Sports Zone… @upstate_sports
By Jake Martino
