Nov. 30, 2002

Box Score

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y.- Freshman Michael Haddix scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds leading Siena to a convincing 69-58 win over Northern Iowa (2-1) in front of 5,544 fans at Pepsi Arena Saturday afternoon. Siena is now 3-0 for the first time since the 1998-99 season.

The two teams played a back-and-forth first half with the lead changing hands eight times. Siena scored nine of the final 11 points before intermission to take a 32-24 lead to the locker room.

Austin Andrews scored six of Siena's first eight points, connecting on two of his four first half three pointers. Haddix equaled Andrews' first half output with 12 points.

David Gruber and Christ Foster led a balanced Northern Iowa attack with six points each at the half.

The Panthers scored the first seven points of the second half to pull within a single point, but the Saints countered with a decisive 16-4 run over the next five minutes to take a 48-35 advantage. Jamal Jackson served as the catalyst to the spurt, scoring on consecutive driving lay-ups.

Haddix then took over inside scoring eight of his 20 points down the stretch. Siena shot 52% from the field in the second half as a result of their commitment to developing their post game.

Gruber led the Panters with 18 points. Northern Iowa committed 19 turnovers and shot just 27.6% from three-point range.

The Saints return to action at Toledo on Tuesday night. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. Last season the Rockets defeated Siena 64-61 in overtime at Pepsi Arena.