Feb. 14, 2012

Final Stats

Siena just loves playing Manhattan at home. Evan Hymes lit up Times Union Center with 21 points and seven assists, and the Saints rolled the Jaspers 70-64 Tuesday night, edging a half-game ahead of Niagara in the critical race for sixth place in the conference standings.

The loss, Manhattan's third in four games, all but ends the Jaspers' improbable run at a regular-season MAAC title. Siena has won eight straight games against Manhattan in this building.

Hymes made 8-13 field goals, and 5-7 3-pointers. His biggest shot was a long 3-pointer from the left wing as the shot clock expired that gave the Saints a 56-48 lead with 6:03 to play. He also dazzled with a push dribble through a double-team, a spectacular move finished with a no-look pass to Kyle Downey for an easy lay-in earlier in the half.

"He's one of the great stories in college basketball," Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro said. "He plays 40 minutes every night, controls our team. Where would we be without him?"

Probably in a lot of trouble.

With him, the Saints sit two games under .500 overall and in the MAAC with league games against Marist and Canisius remaining.

"He played like the best point guard in the league tonight," Manhattan coach Steve Masiello said. "Forget freshman."

As spectacular as Hymes was on offense, it was the way he and the Saints handled Manhattan's press that may have been the biggest factor in this game. Siena turned the ball over 22 times in a 72-53 loss in Riverdale last month, but had just 14 miscues against the Jaspers' high-octane press tonight. It was an effort that kept the Saints in firm control throughout.

OD Anosike had 14 points and eight rebounds - a quiet night by his standards - but Downey stepped up to score 18 points on 7-10 from the field.

"Downey played like a senior tonight," Buoanguro said.

Rob Poole added 10 points off the bench, and played the final 15:49 as Siena found success matching Manhattan's small lineup.

Siena's zone also kept Manhattan at bay. The Jaspers had just 27 points at the half, and struggled getting their key guys going off the drive. Manhattan went just 9-16 from the foul line after entering the game tops in the league with 24 attempts per night. Siena is third in the nation in fewest fouls per game, a key factor in the win.

"I thought we really limited their penetration," Buonaguro said. "The zone was effective tonight."

The Saints made 7-12 3-pointers, their second best output from distance this season. Siena has now defeated Iona, Manhattan and Fairfield at home this season, three of the top four teams in the league.

"We have proved we can play with anyone in this building," Buoanguro said. "Now the challenge is to go to Marist (next Thursday), in a tough environment, and bring this same effort."

Siena led for the final 35 minutes, and the Jaspers got no closer than five in the second half. A big reason for that was the Saints' efficiency from the free throw line. Siena shot 25-30 for the game, and made 19 straight to start the second half. Even Anosike, a 53% shooter coming into the game, made 8-9 free throws.

Manhattan played the final 26-plus minutes without starting point guard Michael Alvarado who was injured after committing a foul late in the first half.

Siena-killer George Beamon led the Jaspers with 16 points, 11 coming in the second half. Manhattan shot 50% from the field in the second half, and limited the Saints to just 33%, but the two teams each had 37 points thanks to Siena's success from the stripe.

The Saints are now 12-3 when scoring at least 60 points. Siena has won seven of its last eight home games.

The Saints break from league play to face Hofstra Saturday at 4 p.m. in their annual BracketBusters game.