Jan. 24, 2011

Box Score | Photo Gallery

For the second straight game, Siena nearly erased a huge second half deficit, but couldn't get over the hump. Justin Robinson scored 19 points, and equaled a career-high with five 3-pointers, to lead Rider past the Saints, 68-60, in frigid Albany Monday.

Ryan Rossiter posted his 15th double-double of the season with 26 points and 15 rebounds. He led Siena on a 16-0 run early in the second half that erased a 15-point deficit. His short jumper with 13:37 to play put the Saints on top, 36-35. But Siena's super senior couldn't do it all himself.

The Saints shot just 30% (21-71) from the field, despite countless open looks. Behind Rossiter and sophomore OD Anosike (career-high 15 rebounds) Siena dominated the glass, but couldn't take advantage.

The game's critical play came with 1:11 to play and Rider leading 60-57. Robinson drove the baseline and had his shot blocked by Kyle Downey. Downey and teammate Owen Wignot then fought for the uncontested rebound, ultimately knocking it out of bounds. Jonathan Thompson pushed the lead to 62-57 with a jumper in the lane 12 seconds later, and after Rossiter missed the front end of a 1-and-1, the Broncs were comfortably in control.

Novar Gadson had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Rider which won for the eighth time in 10 games. Thompson had 14 points off the bench, and Mike Ringgold added 13 points in 29 minutes. Danny Stewart contributed four points, eight rebounds and a career-high five blocks.

Rakeem Brookins (10 points) was the only other Saint to finish in double figures, but juniors Kyle Downey and Owen Wignot each had nine. Siena made 12-14 free throws and 6-14 3-pointers, but converted just 15-57 shots from inside the arc.

The loss was Siena's sixth in its last nine games. It dropped the Saints below.500 in the MAAC, and snapped a four-game home win streak. Rider improves to 6-3 in the MAAC in avenging a home loss to the Saints in November.

Senior Clarence Jackson missed the game with a sprained left ankle, and his absence couldn't have been more noticeable. He injured it in Friday's loss at Saint Peter's. The sharpshooter has missed seven games this season and Siena has averaged fewer than 63 points without him.