Jan. 30, 2011
Final Stats
Freshman point guard Rakeem Brookins missed 14 of the first 15 shots he took Sunday. Then, unfazed, he calmly elevated and knocked down the biggest bucket of the game. Brookins' 3-pointer from the left wing with 1:41 to play put Siena up to stay in a determined 61-59 win over stubborn Niagara in front of 8,275 fans in Albany Sunday.
Siena (9-12/6-5) rallied from a 10-point second half deficit to post their second victory in three days.
Niagara (4-19/1-10) had a chance to tie or win after Ryan Rossiter missed a free throw with 10 seconds left, but Trenity Burdine blocked Anthony Nelson's hurried layup attempt, and grabbed the rebound to secure the victory.
Siena pummeled the Purple Eagles on the glass, controlling a 47-22 rebounding advantage and an 18-0 disparity in second chance points. Niagara out-rebounded the Saints 43-37 in a 69-55 win in Lewiston earlier this month.
OD Anosike scored 15 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds to lead Siena. It was just the second time this season a player other than Ryan Rossiter or Clarence Jackson led the Saints in scoring.
Rossiter chipped in 12 points and 12 rebounds - pedestrian numbers by his gaudy standards - and didn't make a field goal in the last 12:52. Siena rallied anyway, using the same balance they did in Friday night's 17-point win at Loyola.
Kyle Downey and Brookins each finished with 10 points. Owen Wignot had eight, but missed the entire second half after injuring his chest on an aggressive take to the basket. Trenity Burdine played the final 20 minutes in his place, and was solid, scoring five points, including a dunk that finished off a 12-3 run and brought Siena within a point.
Niagara shot 9-18 from 3-point range, led by Marvin Jordan's 5-8 performance from distance. The nation's steal leader Anthony Nelson finished with 12 points, 10 assists and three steals. Nelson had 30 points, 10 assists and eight steals in Niagara's win over Siena earlier this month.
It was the sixth straight setback for the Purple Eagles. They have lost 12 of their last 13 games, with the only win coming over the Saints.
Brookins and Rossiter each played the entire 40 minutes for Siena and Anosike logged 36 despite picking up his fourth foul with 9:43 to play. Brookins added nine assists and five steals.
Siena tries for its first three-game win streak Friday night against Manhattan at Times Union Center.
