Feb. 1, 2003

Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y.- David Bennett scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half as Marist (8-11/4-6 MAAC) rallied for a 79-74 victory over Siena (13-7/7-4) before 7,015 fans at Pepsi Arena Saturday afternoon.

Siena sprinted to a double-digit first half lead for the fifth consecutive game, building as large as a 14-point advantage before settling for a 36-25 lead at the break. Haddix led the Saints charge before the intermission with 10 points and four rebounds.

The Red Foxes scored the first five points of the second half to close within six, but the Saints answered with a 13-6 run to push the lead back to double digits.

Marist answered with a 16-0 run capped off by successive three pointers from Bennett, to first tie and then give Marist its first lead of the game with 10:01 remaining.

After Antoine Jordan briefly gave Siena the lead back with a lay-up off one of his career-high 15 rebounds, Marist put together a decisive 12-2 run to take a 66-57 with just four minutes left. Brandon Ellerbee's breakaway dunk preceded another Bennett three to account for Marist's final five points in the spurt. Ellerbee ended with 20 for the victors.

Prosper Karangwa's consecutive threes with under a minute left brought Siena closed the gap to four, but he was forced to commit his fifth foul on Marist's next possession. Karangwa was among four Siena players in double figures with 14 points.

Marist shot 63% from the floor in the second half.

The Saints return to MAAC action on Monday against Rider here at Pepsi Arena. Game-time is set for 7 p.m.