Feb. 25, 2006
Final Stats
On a night when senior Antoine Jordan capped off a remarkable senior season with 19 points, three assists and three steals, the 7,181 fans at Pepsi Arena Saturday night were shown a glimpse of the future as well. Freshman Kenny Hasbrouck scored a career high 25 points as Siena shook off Niagara 98-92 in double overtime to clinch the #4 seed and subsequent bye in next weekend's Championship.
"I couldn't be more proud of this group and what they've accomplished," head coach Fran McCaffery said. "I'm not sure I've had a season this enjoyable (in my 10 years of coaching).
In a game filled with storylines and gaudy numbers, the player with the least impressive statline may have made the biggest shot. After Niagara's Cliff Brown missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in the second overtime, 5-9 Tay Fisher soared for the defensive rebound and was fouled. After missing the first free throw, he calmly sunk the second to make it a two possession game.
Jordan sealed the deal with two free throws with three seconds on the clock.
Both teams had their chance to win. On the final possession of regulation, Brown missed a running layup that would have won the game after his defender fell down. Hasbrouck had tied the game with a clutch three from the left wing with 44 seconds left.
At the end of the first overtime, Siena held for the final shot, but Jordan's long 3-pointer fell short.
Niagara remained in the game by dominating the glass. The Purple Eagles out-rebounded the Saints 51-27 (23-5 on the offensive glass). James Mathis led the charge with 15 rebounds to go along with his 21 points. He fouled out with 3:39 left in double overtime.
Siena answered with great ball movement that resulted in 55% shooting from the floor and 48% from 3-point range. Hasbrouck made 5-6 3-pointers. Sophomore Mike Beers added five of his own on his way to a career-high 18 points. Kojo Mensah scored 21 points and dished out a career-high 12 assists. Mousse Diop added a career high six points, playing 36 minutes in lieu of starter David Ryan who went down early with a back injury.
Lorenzo Miles led all players with 26 points. Brown had 19 to go along with 13 rebounds. JR Duffy rounded out the Purple Eagles in double figures with 16.
The win secured the #4 seed in next weekend's MAAC Tournament, meaning Siena will not have to play until the quarterfinals Saturday at 5 p.m. It also assured the Saints a winning record. Siena set a program record with 24 losses last season and was the unanimous choice to finish last in this year's MAAC preseason coaches poll.
