Feb. 18, 2012
Final Stats
Mike Moore scored 30 points and made 6-9 3-pointers leading Hofstra to an 81-69 non-league win over Siena on BracketBusters Saturday. The Pride scored the final 10 points to break open a game that was highly competitive until the final moments.
OD Anosike had 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the Saints. Kyle Downey had 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds, and Owen Wignot and Rob Poole each chipped in 10 points in defeat. It marked the first time this season Siena has lost when placing four players in double figures (1-6).
Siena had a season-high 23 assists and shot 59% from the field, but the Saints had 21 turnovers - their second most of the season - including eight by starting point guard Evan Hymes who never found his rhythm.
Hofstra had lost 13 of its last 15 games coming in, but made 11-23 3-pointers, and finished with 21 assists, just 10 turnovers and 11 steals.
Moore's explosion wasn't totally unexpected as he entered the game as the CAA's leading scorer. Stevie Mejia's career-high 16 points, six assists and four steals was.
The Saints committed nine turnovers before scoring their first point of the game, but trailed just 8-2 when Owen Wignot broke the ice just over five minutes in.
"The turnovers were not really forced," Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro said. "We were just throwing the ball away. It was nothing they did. It was just our lack of focus."
The Saints shook off the sloppy start, and used a 7-0 run late in the first half to take a 32-25 lead. Hofstra scored the next nine to take the lead back, and after Moore and Poole trade threes in the final minute, the score was tied 37-37 at the break. Hofstra scored 10 of the first 12 points after intermission, but Siena reeled off eight straight after that to get back in it.
The lead changed hands six times and the game was tied 11 times.
The loss makes it very difficult for Siena to finish the season with a .500 or better record. That's about all that was at stake, as the Saints close regular season play with critical league games at Marist (Thursday) and home against Canisius (Feb. 26).
