Dec. 20, 2001
Box Score
ALBANY, N.Y. - Patricio Prato scored 15 of his game-high 26 points in the second half, and answered several late Siena rallies with crucial shots as St. Bonaventure (7-2) defeated Siena (4-8) 78-74 in an entertaining contest played before 6,260 fans at Pepsi Arena Thursday evening. Dwayne Archbold and Austin Andrews led Siena's offense with 18 points a piece in defeat.
The Saints led an electric first half 40-37 after connecting on 55% of their attempts from the field. Andrews was 5-for-6 from the floor and made good on two three-point field goals to pace the Saints, accounting for 12 of his final tally. His last score of the half-a three-pointer off a fast break-gave Siena its largest lead, 40-31 with just two minutes remaining.
The Bonnies stayed close thanks to the long-range efforts of its backcourt. Nine of Bonaventure's 12 first half field goals were three-pointers, including the final two scores of the half, which closed the gap to three points. Guards J.R. Bremer, Patricio Prato and Marques Green accounted for all but seven of SBU's points before the intermission.
St. Bonaventure used a 10-4 run early in the second half to tie the game at 55-55, and took their first lead since the five-minute mark of the first half on a Prato free throw. Bremer stretched the lead to 59-55 with a three from the corner moments later and expanded it to as many as nine (66-57) with another three at the 7:29 mark.
Archbold and Prosper Karangwa led a thrilling Siena comeback that saw the Saints close to within a single point twice, lastly on a rebound layup from Austin Andrews off an Archbold assist that closed the gap to 73-72 with 51 seconds left. Archbold scored seven of his 18 points during the stretch.
The Bonnies answered with a backbreaking three-pointer by Vidal Messiah as the shotclock neared expiration.
Siena missed two critical free throws in the waning moments-an area they had excelled in prior to tonight's contest.
The Saints begin a three-game road trip at Rice on December 29. Tip-Off is slated for 8:05 EST.
