Nov. 17, 2009

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

ALBANY, N.Y. - Edwin Ubiles scored 26 points as the Saints overcame an early 14-point deficit to defeat Northeastern 59-53 this afternoon in the team's home opener. Ryan Rossiter added a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds as Siena ran the nation's third longest home court winning streak to 22 in a row.

Northeastern (0-1) controlled the tempo to its liking in the opening half playing a slow, grind it out pace which forced nine Siena (2-0) turnovers and limited the Saints to just 9-for-27 (33.3%).

The Huskies built their advantage to 14 at 20-6 at the 8:39 mark, capping a 7-0 run. The Saints finally found their shooting touch late in the first half to claw their way back within a manageable 26-20 deficit entering the lockerroom.

In the second half the Saints came out firing, going on an 18-3 run over the first eight plus minutes to build a nine-point lead (38-29) which would prove to be insurmountable. Rossiter, who scored all 13 of his points in a monster second half at both ends of the floor, capped the run.

Siena returned the favor on the defensive end in the final stanza, recording seven of their ten steals in the period which led to nine Huskies' turnovers. Northeastern finished with 16 turnovers in the game, with the Saints holding a definitive 25-9 edge in points off turnovers, including a 14-0 margin in the decisive second half.

Ubiles shot 11-for-19 from the field and added eight rebounds and four steals. After just a seven-point effort in the season opener at Tennessee State on Friday, the senior swingman eclipsed the 1,500 career point plateau on Tuesday, becoming the eighth Saint in program history to surpass that milestone.

Matt Janning led the way for Northeastern with 14 points and three steals, while Chaisson Allen added 11 as the Huskies' dropped their season opener.

Alex Franklin tallied nine points and six rebounds to go along with three steals for the Saints which defeated Northeastern in the programs' first meeting in 15 years.

Siena returns to action Saturday for a Philly Hoop Group Classic showdown at Temple. Game time is set for 7 p.m. from Philadelphia.