Dec. 10, 2010
Box Score
Derek Needham had 10 points and seven assists in the second half as MAAC Preseason favorite Fairfield had its way with struggling Siena Friday at Times Union Center. The Stags used a 13-0 run midway through the second half to blow the game open and handed the Saints their worst home setback since January 15, 2005.
"We've got to go back to the drawing board, and work on the stuff we're not getting done," Siena head coach Mitch Buonaguro said. "It needs to be a commitment from the whole team."
Fairfield held the Saints starting frontcourt of Ryan Rossiter and OD Anosike to just seven combined points - all coming from Rossiter. Rossiter entered the game averaging over 21 points and 14 rebounds per game, but sat the final 7:57 after his least effective effort of the season.
"If we don't get the productivity out of our front court, we're going to have trouble winning," Buonaguro said.
Both teams struggled to score in the first half, with the Stags erasing an early 16-7 deficit to take a 30-25 lead to the lockerroom. Siena quickly cut the lead to 35-33 in the opening minutes of the second half, and trailed just 43-39 with 12:31 to play before the Stags made their move.
Needham scored four points and dished out two assists during the electrifying 13-0 run that took just over three minutes.
"Needham, I thought took the game over," Buonaguro said. "We had no answer for him."
Fairfield won its fifth straight game and moved to 6-3 on the season and 2-0 in MAAC play. When asked if the Stags had revenge on their mind after Siena's overtime MAAC Championship win here in March, Fairfield head coach Ed Cooley, quickly answered "No, not at all."
Whatever the motivation, it was clear Siena has a long way to go if it hopes to become the first team in league history to win four straight MAAC Championships. The Saints home court invincibility was shattered early this season, tonight their MAAC dominance was also pushed aside.
"They came in here and really defended us," Buonaguro said of Fairfield.
His Saints don't have long to lull on tonight's loss as Florida Atlantic comes to town Monday night. Siena hopes a visit from its all-time leading scorer Marc Brown - whose jersey will be retired at halftime - will spark an inspired effort, and ultimately what used to be taken for granted: a victory on their home court.
