Jan. 21, 2011
Final Stats
Siena used an unconventional lineup to launch a spirited rally, cutting a 19-point second half lead to just three with 1:16 to play, but the mountain was a bit too steep. Ryan Bacon turned in a herculean effort, scoring 25 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, to lead the Peacocks past the Saints, 77-69, in Jersey City Friday night.
Saint Peter's (10-9 overall, 5-3 MAAC) ended an eight-game losing streak against Siena (7-11, 4-4 MAAC).
The Saints rallied after senior Clarence Jackson, who already missed six games this season with a high right ankle sprain, injured his left ankle with 16:50 remaining, and never returned.
Siena was down 13 when Jackson went down, and the lead ballooned to 58-39 with 14:20 to play. In danger of getting blown out of the gym, the Saints gathered themselves and began a ferocious rally.
Playing two freshmen and a sophomore in the backcourt, and seniors Ryan Rossiter and Steven Priestley up front, Siena rallied to within 66-62 on a foul shot by Rakeem Brookins with 3:50 to play.
Rossiter scored on a layup to bring the Saints within 70-67, but Bacon answered with a pair of foul shots with 1:06 left.
Then Rossiter turned the ball over on the baseline, and the Peacocks held on.
Rossiter had 21 points and 16 rebounds to complete his 14th double-double of the season, and Brookins added 15 points and five boards.
Anosike finished with seven points and 13 rebounds, helping the Saints out-rebound the Peacocks 48-47 despite being out-rebounded by 10 in the first half.
Saint Peter's scored 12 straight points, including seven from Bacon, to grab a 22-14 lead in the first half. Anosike's 3-point play drew the Saints within 31-29 before the Peacocks ended the half with a 10-2 run. Wesley Jenkins' put-back with seven seconds left gave Saint Peter's a 41-31 halftime lead.
Siena returns to action Monday night at Times Union Center against Rider in the second half of a doubleheader with the women's team that begins at 5 p.m. and will be regionally televised on MSG Network.
