Jan. 7, 2011
Final Stats
Tomas Vazquez-Simmons blocked Ryan Rossiter's last second jumper as Canisius prevailed over Siena 62-61 in MAAC action Friday night in Buffalo. The last-ditch effort finished off a wild ending in which both teams scored go-ahead baskets in the final 20 seconds.
Rossiter put the Saints up 61-60 with 19 seconds to play with a short jumper in the lane, but Gaby Belardo raced the length of the court and knocked down a tough runner off glass to account for the final margin.
Rakeem Brookins inbounded the ball in front of the Siena bench with 4.8 seconds to play after each team called timeout. The Saints freed Rossiter with a down screen, and Brookins lobbed him the ball with his back to the basket. He spun to face the hoop, but Vazquez-Simmons soared high to block the shot and end the game.
Rossiter had 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Saints.
Siena dominated the action inside, controlling a 44-30 advantage in rebounding, but they missed several shots from up close late in the game.
Canisius did its damage from the outside, converting 12-28 3-pointers to stay in the game.
The Griffs grabbed their first lead of the second half, 58-57, on a Belardo layup with 3:12 remaining. After pushing the lead to 60-57 on a fade-away jumper by Julius Coles, Siena scored four straight to regain the lead.
Alshwan Hymes came off the bench to make six threes, and scored 19 points to lead Canisius. Coles added 18.
Siena got 12 points and 11 rebounds from OD Anosike who played one of his most active games of the season. Owen Wignot scored 11, but made just 4-13 field goals.
The Saints will look to regroup quickly as they face Niagara in Niagara Falls Sunday at 2 p.m.
