Nov. 26, 2010

Final Stats

The Siena men's basketball team had its Thanksgiving meal in a Princeton hotel yesterday, and then head coach Mitch Buonaguro treated the team to a movie. The player's pick? Unstoppable. For the final 20 minutes Friday, the Saints were just that, using a swarming defense and a dynamic and diverse offense to storm past Rider 73-60 here in Lawrenceville in the first conference basketball game played in the 2010-11 college basketball season.

The movie title could be as easily applied to senior Ryan Rossiter's play this season.

Rossiter led the Saints' charge with 18 points and 17 rebounds, marking the third straight game he has had at least 16 points and 15 boards.

"Obviously with a 1-3 record, I think people might have been down on us, but we aren't down on ourselves at all," Rossiter said. "We know we just have to keep getting better, and we wanted to make a statement in the first game of league play and reestablish ourselves, and let teams know that we're serious."

Siena used a 20-1 run to turn a 47-44 deficit into an insurmountable 64-48 lead with 7:07 to play. The run included two 3-pointers by Jackson, and acrobatic old-fashioned 3-point plays by point guards Rakeem Brookins and Kyle Griffin.

"I think defensively we were doing great (during the run)," Rossiter said. "We were talking, we were moving and we were holding them to one shot. We did a great job on the defensive glass, and that really fuels are offense."

As good as Rossiter was, Siena enjoyed its most balanced offensive effort of the season. By halftime, 10 players had scored, and five players finished the game with at least seven points. Jackson (15) and Brookins (11) combined to score 21 of their 26 points in the second half.

"(This was) a great road win against a team that was playing really well," Buonaguro said. "I thought the kids had tremendous focus, especially in the second half. I thought we locked down really well on them. It was a great defensive half. Obviously the defense was a big part of the win."

Siena mixed defenses throughout the game, but was much more active after intermission. As a result, Rider went from making 15-30 first half field goals, to just 8-30 in the second half. The Broncs entered the game shooting better than 50% from the field and from distance.

Jackson drew the toughest assignment, senior guard Justin Robinson who entered the game having made 13 of the 25 3-pointers he had attempted on the season. He finished with just 12 points on 4-12 shooting.

"I thought Clarence played the best half of defense he has in his entire career (in the second half)," Buonaguro said.

Siena also got big contributions from sophomore Davis Martens who played 21 minutes after starting power forward OD Anosike was saddled with foul trouble for the third straight game. Martens scored three points and grabbed four rebounds, but his real value came on the defensive end where he altered several Rider shots.

"(Davis has) been playing phenomenal anytime he's been called upon," Rossiter said when asked about his frontcourt mate. "He's always battling, he's always fighting someone for the rebound. He has a good feel for the game."

Buonaguro hinted that his recent effort could earn him increased playing time.

"I feel really good about Davis," he said. "It didn't really surprise me because I've seen a marked improvement. The more he plays, the better he gets. I think the 20 minutes is where I want to play him most games."

Siena has now won two of three road games this season.

"It was an important game, but I haven't talked a lot about the record," Buonaguro said. "I think the kids have played well. We have had a tough schedule, and this is our second road win, which is a real plus against two good teams. I think the team is growing which is good. We're getting better."