Siena Avoids 0-4 Opening to Conference Play as Horn’s Three Pushes the Saints Past Canisius
Photo: Jake Martino/Upstate Sports Zone
Siena returned to action on Sunday at the TU to conclude the two season long three-game home stand to open up 2018. The Saints were back in action looking for revenge after taking two losses in the home stand against Quinnipiac (Monday) and Niagara (Friday). Siena was without Junior Guard Nico Clareth both Friday and this afternoon who is in Baltimore dealing with a family issue.
The Saints squared off against Canisius on Sunday, a team who is without a doubt in the running to bring home a MAAC title. The Golden Griffs are built around Isaiah Reese and Jermaine Crumpton, who both return to the TU following the heartbreaking loss in the MAAC tournament last season. Isaiah Reese is coming off a 20 point outing on Friday night against Quinnipiac making it his fourth game this season with 20+ points.
Ashante Shivers broke out in the first half, allowing Siena to have an eight point advantage with 4 minutes left in the half. Shivers hasn’t necessarily been the go to player the Saints the past few games, and with the absence of Nico Clareth it was important for him to stand up.
Siena’s defense in the first half was phenomenal, holding the Golden Griffs to just 21 points. Sophomore Forward Tom Huerter made key defensive plays inside to keep Canisius off the board. Siena held Canisius to just 3 points in the final 11:26 of the half. The one thing you see in this game compared to others is that Siena is playing smart defense. The foul totals for Siena during this homestand has been horrendous, but this afternoon only ten called against them the whole game.
A surprising stat for the Golden Griffs in the first half, only shooting 24% in the first half compared to Siena’s 45.8%. Siena held Canisius to 0-15 on shooting to end the half.
Siena kept it steady in the second half, keeping a reasonable lead of Canisius. Siena’s brains of playing smart defense wore off just a tad in the second half. Isaiah Reese knocked down a three with four minutes left to cut Siena’s lead to three. The Saints struggled in the second half getting the ball off before the shot clock.
Freshman guard Jordan Horn hit a 3-pointer with 5.3 seconds left to give the Siena men’s basketball team a 65-62 victory over Canisius at Times Union Center today. “He never quits” Patsos said after the game. “The play went with the flow, it just happened.” I’ve been to many games this season, but I have never seen more energy in the whole TU Center then what I saw today. Canisus’ Jermaine Crumpton missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer and Siena (5-12 overall, 1-3 league) held on for its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win.
The Saints held a 43-24 rebounding advantage and held Canisius to 6-for-26 shooting from 3-point range.
Siena finished with four players in double figures, something that has been a rare occasion this season. Ahsante Shivers had 18 points to lead four Saints in double figures. Evan Fisher added 16 points and nine rebounds, Prince Oduro scored 13 and Horn chipped in with 12 points.
By Jake Martino
