Dec. 1, 2012
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
Jacob Iati scored eight of his 13 points in a one minute and 48 second span early in the second half helping UAlbany push a four point lead to 10, and Siena got no closer than seven the rest of the way in a 69-56 loss Saturday night at Times Union Center.
It's the third time UAlbany (6-2) has won the Albany Cup in 12 meetings since the rivalry was restarted at the Division I level in 2001, and the second time in three years.
"I thought we were the tougher team tonight," UAlbany head coach Will Brown said. "Last year (in a 64-60 loss to Siena) we got punked in the second half, and we weren't going to let the happen again."
Both teams did an excellent job of taking the other's star out of the game. Mike Black made just 3-15 field goals and 1-6 3-pointers for the Danes, while Siena's O.D. Anosike managed just eight points and seven boards for the Saints. It's the first time all season Anosike has failed to post a double-double.
Siena (2-6) shot 46% from the field, but turned the ball over a season-high 18 times. The Saints have had at least as many turnovers as assists in every game this season.
UAlbany scored 11 of the final 13 points in the first half to take a 30-24 lead to the lockerroom.
Rob Poole did his best to keep Siena in the game scoring 17 of his 19 points in the second half, including the Saints' first eight after intermission.
All nine players who saw the court for UAlbany scored, and six finished with at least eight points.
"UAlbany's the better team right now," head coach Mitch Buoanguro said. "We're a work in progress. We've got a lot of young guys, and I think we've played a lot of really good teams. We've competed in every game."
Evan Hymes scored nine of his 12 points in the first half and played 39 minutes at the point for the Saints.
UAlbany made 21-24 free throws, compared to 5-7 for Siena.
The Saints will look to snap their four-game losing streak when they travel to face St. Bonaventure Tuesday night in a game that will be nationally televised on NBC Sports Network.
