Dec. 30, 2002

Box Score

BOZEMAN - Prosper Karangwa scored 18 points and Antoine Jordan had 16 as Siena beat Montana State 71-58 Monday in the championship game of the Holiday Stores/Big R Classic.

MSU (6-5) pulled to within three points on Jason Erickson's reverse layup with 11:06 left, but a 3-point play by Paul Williams and a putback by Karangwa with 10:13 left pushed the Saints' lead to 50-42.

Siena (7-3) is the first team since 1995 to take the Bobcats' holiday tournament.

Bo Segeberg led Montana State with 13 points and Casey Reynolds had 12.

Siena also got 14 from Tommy Mitchell.

Siena outrebounded Montana State 40-26.

"People asked why we came to Montana," Rob Lanier said following the win. "This is why."

"The experiences we had here provided us with some insight as to what Tournament play is all about. We know have a reference point that we can look back on when the Conference Championships arrive. All and all, it was a great experience."

Mitchell and Jordan joined Karangwa, who was selected Tournament MVP, on the All-Tournament team.

Siena limited both its opponents to under 40% from the field. The Saints shot 49% against MSU after connecting on a season-high 55% of their field goal attempts in the win over Loyola Marymount yesterday.

Siena returns to the Capital Region on New Years Eve and will immediately begin preparations for Saturday evening's game with Big East foe Providence. The Saints host the Friars at Pepsi Arena at 7 p.m.