March 5, 2011
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
Siena's reign as three-time defending MAAC Champions came to an unceremonious and decisive end Saturday night in a 94-64 thumping at the hands of rival Iona. The Gaels out-scored the Saints 51-24 over the final 17 minutes, turning a three-point game into a runaway laugher.
Mike Glover poured in 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Iona which improved to 6-0 all-time against Siena in MAAC Tournament, and ended a four-year winless streak in the Championships.
Siena saw its league-record equaling 10-game MAAC Tournament win streak snapped.
Senior Clarence Jackson led the Saints with 16 points in his final game. MAAC Player of the Year Ryan Rossiter posted 11 points and six rebounds, falling just three boards shy of the MAAC single-season record.
Rossiter finished his career with 1,457 points, a school-record 1,151 rebounds and 167 blocked shots. He shot 52 percent from the field for his magnificent career.
Siena hung around for the first 23 minutes, but ultimately had no answer for the Gaels ultra-athletic, deep roster. Iona's 94 points were the most Siena allowed all season, easily topping the 88 UAlbany scored in an overtime win back in early December.
With Glover dominating the game inside, the outside opened for guards Kyle Smyth and Scott Machado who finished with 16 and 15 points respectively and combined for six 3-pointers. Iona made 9-17 (53%) shots from distance, and converted 58 percent of its field goals, including an eye-popping 65 percent in the second half.
Iona led 37-31 after a fast first half, and just 43-40 after Rakeem Brookins jumper with 17:04 to play. The Gaels then scored 13 straight points to take control, and Siena got no closer than 14 the rest of the way. The lead ballooned to 20 with 8:36 remaining, allowing Iona to sub freely down the stretch, and conserve its roster for tomorrow's semifinal round.
Brookins was the only other Saint to reach double figures, scoring 12 points in 27 minutes.
Rossiter, Jackson and Steven Priestley finish their careers as three of the most successful and decorated athletes in program history. Siena won 90 games over their four-year tenure, including three MAAC Championships, and two NCAA Tournament games.
Their final year with the program did not live up to expectations. The Saints were picked second in the MAAC Preseason Poll, but finished seventh after an injury-marred season in which the team never really found its rhythm.
There were a few highlights in the 13-18 campaign, including a home win over ACC foe Georgia Tech in December, an exciting Senior Day victory over Marist in which Rossiter recorded a school-record 34 points, and yesterday's overtime triumph over Manhattan that kept the season alive.
Rossiter left the court for the final time with 3:38 to play and shared a tearful embrace with his teammates. His historic season had come to an end along with his team's historic run.
It wasn't the end he had hoped for.
