Nov. 25, 2003

Box Score

Sophomore sensation Michael Haddix led all Siena players with 16 points helping Siena to a 77-59 victory over Fordham before 5,823 at Pepsi Arena in Albany Tuesday night. Siena pulled down 61 rebounds-the most in the Rob Lanier era, controlling an authoritative +30 edge on the glass.

Fordham (0-2) jumped out to an early 9-2 lead, converting three three-pointers in their first six possessions. The Rams scored their 13th point of the half at the 15:05 mark, assuming a 13-6 advantage, on a jumper from the left wing by Michael Haynes, but then the Saints' defense tightened. Siena (2-0) held Fordham scoreless for the next six and a half minutes using a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game.

The Saints took advantage of a significant size advantage for the second straight game to seize the momentum midway through the first half. Siena out-rebounded the Rams 27-13 before the break, helping offset sloppy offensive execution that resulted in 14 first half turnovers (Fordham 12).

Siena carried a 34-26 lead into the locker room behind 10 points from Haddix. Drew Williamson and Mark Jarrell-Wright each scored seven points to pace the visitors. After Fordham closed the gap to 45-40, the Saints again asserted their muscle, scoring the next 12 points thanks to tenacious rebounding on both ends of the court. Paul Williams scored five of his nine points over the decisive stretch, and was extremely active on the glass. Siena had built a commanding 57-40 lead before Michael Haynes jumper ended a three minutes scoreless streak for Fordham. Haynes led all players with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

The Saints nine-man rotation produced balanced numbers for the second straight outing, as all nine scored (10 total) and each registered at least one rebound, as the Green and Gold has out-rebounded its first two opponents 115-65. Justin Miller and Brent Sniezyk combined for 20 rebounds, Miller had 11 adding to the nine he pulled down in the UAlbany win.

Austin Andrews (9) and Mike Beers (9) each connected on three three-pointers, accounting for all six of Siena long range field goals. Tommy Mitchell added 11 to the victorious effort. Antoine Jordan added nine rebounds and seven rebounds.

Siena takes to the road for the first time this season as they face another Atlantic 10 foe, Duquesne in Pittsburgh on Saturday at 4 p.m.