March 1, 2015 Final Stats
Deon Jones scored 18 of his game-high 22 points in the second half and Monmouth closed the game on a 10-2 run to post a 63-57 win over Siena in the final game of the regular-season Sunday in West Long Branch, N.J.
Justin Robertson banked in a contested three-pointer with 1:09 to play to put Monmouth up 56-55, and the Hawks never trailed again. Siena turned the ball over on its next two possessions, leading to two Jones' free throws and an alley-oop from Robinson that he finished with authority to all but seal the outcome.
Siena lost nine of its last 11 regular-season games to finish in a tie for eighth with Niagara in the MAAC (7-13). The Saints are the No. 8 seed and will face the ninth-seeded Purple Eagles Thursday at 5 p.m. at Times Union Center in the First Round of the MAAC Tournament. Siena swept Niagara in the regular-season, but the Purple Eagles enter the Tournament hot having won their last four games.
Siena controlled most of the game Sunday even with leading scorer Rob Poole on the bench (ankle), and led 45-34 with 10:54 left. Monmouth used a 17-5 run to take a 51-50 lead with 5:03 left on two Jones' free throws.
Ryan Oliver provided most of Siena's offense, finishing with 18 points on 7-16 shooting. His three-pointer with 4:37 to play gave Siena a 53-51 lead. The Saints led 55-53 with 1:28 remaining after two Javion Ogunyemi free throws, but Robinson's tough three triggered a 10-2 game-ending run.
Monmouth stayed in the game by dominating the glass - they owned a 47-29 rebounding advantage. The Hawks out-scored the Saints 17-4 on second chance points and 15-2 on fast break points - the majority of those coming off Siena's 16 turnovers.
Siena did put together its second straight solid defensive effort, limiting Monmouth to 31% for the floor after Quinnipiac struggled to 30% shooting on Friday night. The Hawks struggled mightily in their half court offense all night.
Free throws were another big factor. Monmouth made 21-28 attempts from the stripe, Siena was just 6-8 from the line. The Saints entered the game tied for fourth nationally with 17.8 free throws made per game.
Siena had hoped to carry some momentum into the Championships which return to their home floor for the first time in five years, but they'll have to settle for another just miss. The Saints won the MAAC Championships the last three times it was contested in Albany (2008-2010) and as a No. 7 seed in 2002 when it had to win four games - a feat it will need to equal later this week.
