Nov. 27, 2016

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

ALBANY, NY -- Siena Basketball made 17 of its first 19 shots to open the final stanza, but it wasn't enough to overcome an 18-point halftime deficit as UAlbany reclaimed the Albany Cup 81-72 at SEFCU Arena. Senior guard Marquis Wright led four Saints in double figures with 18 points.

David Nichols led all scorers with a career-high 29 points, and Scotia native Joe Cremo added 20 for UAlbany (4-2) which has captured five of the last seven meetings between the crosstown rivals.

Sophomore guard Nico Clareth came off the bench to score all 16 of his points in the second half, and Troy native Javion Ogunyemi contributed 11 points and three blocks for Siena (2-4) which still holds a 10-6 edge in the series at the Division I level and 30-23 overall.

The Great Danes jumped out to 38-20 halftime lead, closing the opening stanza on an 18-4 run. UAlbany held the Saints to just 23.1% shooting over the opening 20 minutes, as Siena misfired on 20 of its 26 attempts.

However in a complete 180, the Saints shot a blistering 73.9% in scoring 52 second half points as they slowly chipped away. Clareth capped a late 18-8 run with a short baseline jumper to rally Siena as close as four, 76-72 with 94 seconds remaining.

But the Great Danes, who themselves shot 59.1% in the second half and 51.9% for the game, matched the Saints almost shot for shot. UAlbany also made its free throws down the stretch to capture the first meeting between the programs on Western Avenue in 40 years, in front of a crowd of 4,538. The previous 15 Division I matchups had been contested at the more spacious Times Union Center, accommodating an average of 10,910 fans.

Siena returns to action Wednesday for another huge rivalry game when the Saints head to Olean to battle sister school St. Bonaventure for the Franciscan Cup at 8 p.m.