Dec. 31, 2007
Final Stats
Siena scored the first 10 points and raced to an 18-2 lead, erasing any concerns of a possible trap game in an 89-54 rout of Dartmouth in Albany on New Years Eve. Senior Tay Fisher had a career-high 23 points and added four steals, four rebounds and three assists in a spot start for the Saints.
"The important thing today was our approach at the start of the game," Siena head coach Fran McCaffery said. "Obviously, we were successful in getting our guys going."
The Saints shot 56% from the field in the first half and carried a 45-26 lead to the lockerroom. Siena led by more than 20 points for the final 16:38 of the game. The 35-point final margin represented the biggest discrepancy of the game. It was also the largest margin of victory since a 94-54 win at Rider February 1, 2001.
Fisher was one of 11 Saints to score, as McCaffery was able to utilize his entire bench for the first time this season.
"It took a collective effort to have the outcome we had," McCaffery said.
Edwin Ubiles scored 13 points and has reached double figures in all 11 games. Freshman Clarence Jackson posted his second straight double-digit outing, finishing with 12 points. Kenny Hasbrouck had nine of his 10 points in the first half.
Siena shot 62% from 3-point range, making 8-13 attempts. Fisher himself was 6-11 from long range.
"It's great for him, because he's such a character person," McCaffery said of Fisher. "To have the chance to start again is something he certainly deserves and we needed that (performance) from him today."
Dartmouth struggled on offense throughout, especially from 3-point range. The Big Green made just 1-13 3-pointers, a late Elgin Fitzgerald try that banked in.
Alex Barnett had 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead the visitors.
Ever-improving Siena freshman Ryan Rossiter had 10 rebounds in his first start of the season. McCaffery indicated after the game that Rossiter could maintain a starting spot even after Alex Franklin returns from injury.
Classmate Steven Priestley scored five points and had three rebounds, playing the final 11 minutes in his most extended action of the season. Chris De la Rosa had four points, four assists and two of the Saints' 14 steals.
Siena now braces for national power Memphis, which it will play at Fed Ex forum Thursday at 8 p.m. Central Time.
"We're not going to back down from anybody, but we have total and complete respect for Memphis - not only this year, but the job John (Calipari) has done since he went there," McCaffery said. "With all due respect to North Carolina, they are the best team I've watched all season."
