Final Stats

It wasn't easy, but Jimmy Patsos walked out of Reitz Arena with another win Saturday night. Siena ended the game on a 15-5 run to post an exciting 81-71 victory over a Loyola program Patsos coached from 2004-13.

"I'm proud of our guys," Patsos said. "The last five minutes we gutted it out."

Brett Bisping led five Siena (2-2) players in double figures with 16 points, and hot-shooting Ryan Oliver made two key threes during a huge 8-0 spurt that broke a 66-66 tie with 2:25 to play.

Marquis Wright had 14 points and six assists, Rob Poole added 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, Oliver finished with 11 points, and Lavon Long added 10 for the balanced Saints. It was the second straight game Siena place five players in double figures.

Loyola (2-4) led 35-30 at halftime and by as many as nine, 47-38, with 14:02 left after a three-point play by Eric Laster. The Saints used a 7-0 run to close within 49-48 on an Evan Hymes' layup with 11:09 to play and the action was back-and-forth until the final minutes.

Tempers flared with 6:05 left and Loyola leading 55-54. After a dead ball, players got tangled up under the Siena basket. Officials went to the monitor and after a long delay, Wright, Lester and Loyola's Franz Rassman were assessed technical fouls.

Poole made two free throws to give Siena the lead, but then he was called for a technical foul after and illegal screen on the next possession.

The game was called much tighter down the stretch and both teams took advantage. Siena shot 85% (22-26) from the foul line and Loyola made 26-33 free throws.

Oliver rose for a huge three-pointer to break a 66-66 tie with 2:25 left, and after a Loyola turnover Long muscled home two more points inside. Laster missed a running jumper with 1:44 left, and Oliver planted the dagger - a corner three to give the Saints a 74-66 lead with just 1:23 left.

Tyler Hubbard led Loyola with a career-high 23 points, boosted by a 17-18 performance from the free throw line. Senior Denzel Brito also posted a career-high with 11 points for the Greyhounds.

Patsos was recognized prior to starting lineups for his success at Loyola. He's the third winningest coach in program history and guided the Hounds to their first NCAA Tournament in 18 years in 2012.

Siena will try to sweep its current three-game road swing Monday night at Fordham. The Rams are the third Atlantic 10 foe Siena will play in its first five games.