Dec. 2, 2003

Box Score

Monmouth erupted for 14 three-pointers and scored 56 second half points to soar past Siena 89-76 before 5,000 fans at Pepsi Arena Tuesday night. It marked Siena's worst loss at Pepsi Arena since a 91-57 setback to #25 Rhode Island to begin the 1996-97 season-the first year it played all its games in the downtown Albany facility.

Dwayne Byfield led all players with 21 points, connecting on 3-of-6 shots from three-point territory. Chris Kenney made four of his five threes, finishing with 12 points for the victors.

Monmouth (3-2) carried a 33-27 lead into the break after a back-and-forth first half and extended the lead to as many as 11 three minutes into the final stanza.

After assuming the 40-29 lead, Siena (3-1) made a brief spurt to close within six on a run capped off by a Mike Beers three pointer from the left wing. It would be as close as the Saints would get the rest of the way.

The Hawks pushed the lead to as many as 21 following a flurry of scoring that included five consecutive threes. Siena had no answer for the decisive stretch, rallying only mildly in the waning moments thanks to an active full court press.

Antoine Jordan led Siena in scoring for the second straight game with 17 points. He also recorded the first double-double of his career adding 10 boards. Michael Haddix (15), Justin Miller (12) and Austin Andrews (12) each finished with doubles in a losing effort. Monmouth shot 47% from the floor and from three-point land. The Saints controlled the glass 49-38.

Siena begins conference play at archrival Marist Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. The Saints return home Saturday to host Niagara at 1 p.m.