Nov. 23, 2010

Box Score

ALBANY, NY - New year, new venue, same outcome. In a rematch of last year's ESPN BracketBusters game between the two teams, Butler topped Siena 70-57 Tuesday night at the Times Union Center.

Ryan Rossiter left his heart on the floor for Siena (1-3). The senior forward posted his third double-double of the season Tuesday, scoring 26 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. This came against a deep Butler frontcourt that included standout Matt Howard, who had a double-double of his own with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

"I was happy with the effort," said Siena head coach Mitch Buonaguro. "I thought we played hard for 40 minutes, we just had a few bad breaks."

Siena was down eight points at the half, but cut the deficit to three at one point. However, with both OD Anosike and Owen Wignot battling foul trouble in the second half, the Bulldogs (3-1) pulled away, recording their second win over the Saints in as many years.

"They hit a couple big threes, and I think the game was a lot closer than the final score," Buonaguro said. "We showed ourselves well in this game."

One positive that came out of Tuesday's game was Siena being able to contain star guard Shelvin Mack. Mack came into the game averaging over 21 points per contest, but the Saints held the junior to just nine in 29 minutes.

"He had 23 on us last year," Buonaguro added. "We did a great job on him."

However, the Saints were once again plagued by turnovers, committing 15. Clarence Jackson was the second-leading scorer for Siena with eight points, while Wignot added seven and Anosike tallied six.

Siena returns to action on Friday, when they kick off a two-game New Jersey road trip against MAAC foe Rider.