Feb. 16, 2009
Final Stats
ALBANY, N.Y. - Alex Franklin scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Edwin Ubiles scored 21 points and Kenny Hasbrouck scored all 14 of his in the second half as Siena won a physical game at Iona, 75-60, Monday night to wrap up a share of the MAAC regular-season title for the second straight season and sixth time in its 19 years in the conference.
The Saints led 37-24 after an ugly first half that included 15 fouls and 24 turnovers. Siena received strong contributions from its bench after reigning MAAC Player of the Week Ryan Rossiter picked up his second foul just four minutes into the game and Hasbrouck picked up his three minutes later.
Reserves Clarence Jackson and Josh Duell each provided 13 solid minutes and Franklin and Ubiles combined for 26 points and had eight of the Saints' 10 field goals before the break.
The Saints closed the half with a 20-6 run.
Siena led the entire second half, but it took three huge plays from Hasbrouck to seal the win after the Gaels closed to within 59-54 on a Rashon Dwight jumper with 6:40 to go. First he deflected a pass and fed Ubiles for an acrobatic reverse dunk, then he hit a 3-pointer to push the lead back to double figures and his layup with 3:11 left gave the Saints their biggest lead of the night, 70-54.
Gary Springer scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to keep Iona in the game.
Ronald Moore finished with six of the Saints' 13 steals and Siena made 22-30 free throws to make up for a 38-30 rebounding deficit.
Siena will not play another league game until February 27 at second place Niagara. They play at last place Canisius on the final day of the regular-season March 1. The Saints need just one win or a Niagara loss (the Purple Eagles have three games remaining) to clinch the outright MAAC regular-season Championship and top seed in the Conference Tournament.
For the time being Siena's focus shifts to Missouri Valley leader Northern Iowa, the opponent on BracketBusters Saturday at 3 p.m. at Times Union Center.
