Jan. 29, 2004
Box Score
ALBANY, N.Y.- Jerry Johnson scored 19 of his game-high 24 points in the second half to lead Rider (11-7/5-3 MAAC) to a 78-71 MAAC win over Siena (7-12/4-6 MAAC) before 5,307 fans at Albany's Pepsi Arena Thursday night. Johnson's effort offset a career night by Siena's Justin Miller who equaled a career-high with 20 points, while pulling down a career-best 17 rebounds.
Siena controlled the action for most of the first half, but struggled to gain a decisive lead. The seven point advantage the Saints took to the lockerroom matched their largest of the initial stanza. Miller's monster performance consisted of 13 points and 11 boards at the break, and Michael Haddix added eight as Siena powered past Rider 20-12 in the paint and owned a convincing 26-11 edge on the glass.
The Saints began sharp in the second half, pushing the lead to double figures, 47-34, with scores on their first five possessions.
Rider responded with a 15-3 run to pull within a single point, 50-49 at the 13-minute mark. Johnson scored eight points during the spurt, converting both of his three-point attempts in transition. He gave the Broncs their first lead of the second half, 58-56, with a three at the 9:39 mark.
Miller helped the Saints build a three-point lead on a circus put-back with just over five minutes remaining, but the Broncs again answered with a mini 5-0 run capped off by Robert Taylor's three from the right wing at the 4:33 mark to assume a 66-64 advantage.
Siena took its final lead of the night on a pair of Austin Andrews free throws with 3:28 left. Taylor answered with another three to give Rider the lead for good, 69-68 with 3:15 remaining.
Edwin Muniz's three following a Rider defensive stand gave the Broncs a six-point lead with just over a minute left. Mike Beers third three of the night pulled the Saints to within three in the final minute, but that's as close as Siena would get, as Johnson answered with a 16-foot jumper to seal the outcome.
Siena returns to action Saturday afternoon at Fairfield. The 4 p.m. tip will be carried on ESPN2 as part of the MAAC Television Package. The game is the start of three straight road contests for the Saints who travel to MAAC rivals Saint Peter's and Iona next week.
