Nov. 17, 2014
Final Stats
Ethan O'Day made all eight of his shots from the field, equaling a Times Union Center record, and scored 20 points to lead Vermont past Siena 84-76 Monday night in Albany. It's the fifth straight season the Catamounts have defeated the Saints.
"That's a good Vermont team that played really hard," Siena coach Jimmy Patsos said. "We matched them for about 30 minutes. I (told my team) they're going to come in angry, and they're going to outwork us if we're not ready, and I thought they did."
Vermont shot 68% from the field, including 77% (13-17) in the second half. O'Day's 8-for-8 effort from the field tied for the most efficient performance in Times Union Center history (minimum seven attempts). Siena's Corey Osinski (2/8/99) and Iona's Sean Green (3/3/91) also went 8-for-8 from the field.
The Catamounts used a tide-turning 18-3 run midway through the second half to change the complexion of the game. Siena led 56-47 after Ryan Oliver's 3-pointer with 12:34 to play, but the Saints next field goal didn't come until the 6:53 mark. By that point Vermont had taken the lead for good.
Siena got within 72-71 on a pair of Rob Poole free throws with 3:01 left, but Lavon Long missed on the drive after a turnover, and the Catmounts scored the next six points to put the game away.
Poole led all players with 22 points and went 12-12 from the free throw line. The Saints shot 90% (34-38) from the stripe for the game, but made just 7-24 field goals (29%) in the second half.
Evan Hymes had 12 of his 15 points in the first half, staking the Saints to a 37-36 advantage at the break. Siena led UMass 41-36 at halftime in its season-opening 95-87 loss Friday night in Amherst.
Oliver made all three of his field goal attempts and finished with 11 points. He's 8-9 from the field this season and 6-7 from distance.
Trae Bell-Haynes had 16 points for Vermont and Hector Harold rounded out the double figure scorers with 11.
Siena began the night by dropping its 2014 CBI Championship banner from the rafters. It was the 300th game the Saints have played at Times Union Center (203-97) and their first on a new playing surface that features the team logo at center court.
Siena doesn't return to Times Union until Friday, December 5 when it opens up MAAC play against the Canisius. The next three games are on the road, beginning with Wednesday night's renewal of the Franciscan Cup at St. Bonaventure.
