Dec. 23, 2002

Box Score

Romain Sato broke out of a season-long shooting slump and scored 33 points as #21 Xavier (7-2) held off several rallies from a stubborn Siena (5-3) team in front of an enthusiastic 10,671 fans in Albany's Pepsi Arena Monday evening.

The Musketeers led an explosive first half, with six lead changes, 50-42. West poured in 15 and Albany native Lionel Chalmers chipped in 12 of his 16 before the intermission, including a rim-rattling breakaway dunk that gave Xavier the eight-point advantage. Siena's point guard Tommy Mitchell matched Chalmers output with 12 points to pace the Saints, which led by as many as seven in the early going.

The Saints came out strong in the second half as well, cutting the lead to a single point three minutes in. Austin Andrews connected on back-to-back threes and by the 16-minute mark, Siena had four players in double figures.

Romaine Sato answered with back-to-back threes to provide Xavier with a cushion mid-way through the final stanza. Sato, who entered the game shooting just 19% from three-point range on the season, converted 6-of his-12 attempts from beyond the arc.

Siena continued to battle, forcing the ball to the inside, and after freshman Michael Haddix scored seven consecutive points, the home team trailed by just five with three minutes left. Haddix finished with 21 to lead the Saints.

Prosper Karangwa, who ended with 17, then trimmed the lead two just three with a breakaway layup to bring the partisan crowd to its feet.

Sato again had the answer, however, drilling a three from the top of the key to push the lead to six. Sato trotted back down the court with a finger on his lips silencing the crowd.

Both teams were red-hot from the floor all night. Siena converted 51.6% of its field goal attempts compared to 48.3% for Xavier.

David West finished with 21 for Xavier but was matched all night on the opposite end by Siena's young frontline.

Andrews (12), and Mitchell (12) joined Karangwa and Haddix in double figures for the Saints. Anthony Miles had 10 as the final member of the Xavier quartet to reach double-digits.

The Saints travel to Bozeman, Mont. following the Christmas holiday to participate in the Montana State Bobcat Invitational. Siena will play Loyola Marymount at 5:30 p.m. local time (MST) on Sunday evening.