Jan. 8, 2012
Final Stats
OD Anosike set a school-record with his 11th straight double-double, racking up a career-high 27 points and adding 14 rebounds in Siena's 72-60 home win over Niagara Sunday. It was the fourth victory in five games for a Siena team that has played predominantly with just six players over that stretch.
Anosike entered the game leading the nation in rebounding and with the longest active double-double streak in Division I. The junior forward is quickly developing into one of the best players in the MAAC.
The Saints trailed 18-8 after a sluggish start against Niagara's zone defense, but rebounded to take a 31-28 lead into the lockerroom. They grabbed the lead for good, 44-42, on an Anosike layup with 11:07 to play.
For the second straight game, Siena got the job done on both ends of the floor. The Saints shot 47% from the field, and limited Niagara to just 35%, including 14% (3-21) from 3-point range.
"We play four guards," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said. "We aren't going to beat anybody shooting 3-21 from three."
The Saints' zone defense also came up big when it mattered most. Siena entered the game tops in the country with just 12.9 fouls per game, a huge stat considering the team's lack of depth. But when Evan Hymes fouled Marvin Jones with 9:12 on the clock, he became the third Saint to pick up his fourth foul, and Siena was in real danger, leading just 48-46.
Buoanguro stayed with all three players, and the Saints scored nine of the next 11 points to take command.
Kyle Downey continued his strong play for Siena, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. Evan Hymes shook off a 1-7 start from the field to finish with 13 points and six assists.
Antoine Mason led Niagara with 15 points, Juan'ya Green had 11 and Ameen Tanksley added 10.
Siena began the week with a 36-point loss to Iona, but rebounded smartly with a home win Friday over Fairfield and today's triumph over Niagara. The Saints pulled within a game of .500 overall and in conference play. The three-game MAAC homestand concludes Thursday night when Siena hosts Rider in the MAAC's National Game of the Week on ESPN3.
