Final Stats

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Sophomore guard Nico Clareth's look at a potential game-winning three just before the final buzzer sounded was off the mark as Rider eked out a 71-69 decision over Siena Basketball at Alumni Gym. The Saints struggled late, missing 15 of their final 16 shots in dropping to 0-6 on the road.

In a contest which featured 14 ties and 17 lead changes, Siena (3-6, 1-1) took the game's biggest lead albeit at just seven points, 65-58, with 5:47 to go. But the Saints, which shot just 28.9% from the field in the second half, went 6:14 without a field goal down the stretch to allow Rider (4-3, 1-1) to rally.

Xavier Lundy scored 16 of his game-high 20 points in the first half, but knocked down the clutch go-ahead jumper with 2:22 remaining to put the Broncs back in front for good at 69-68.

Remarkably, Siena got off six shots on the ensuing possession, but couldn't find the go-ahead bucket. The Saints held a 52-49 edge on the glass against the MAAC's top rebounding team, which included 23 offensive rebounds.

Rider extended its lead to two on a free throw with eight seconds to go, setting Siena up for one final chance. Clareth got off a clean look from the left wing, but couldn't connect. The Saints misfired on 18 of their 19 three-point attempts, including all 11 in the second half. Siena also missed six of its nine second half free throw attempts.

Senior Lavon Long came off the bench to tie season-highs with 19 points and eight rebounds, and recorded a season-best four steals for the Saints. Classmate Javion Ogunyemi added 13 points, red-shirt senior forward Brett Bisping contributed nine points and a season-high 15 rebounds, and Clareth finished with 12 points and a career-high nine rebounds.

Southern Miss transfer Norville Carey tallied a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Broncs which were out-rebounded for the first time this season. Rider had entered play with a conference-leading 7.7 rebound margin.

Siena will now step aside from MAAC play for a month as it concludes its non-conference slate which features four more games. The Saints return to action Friday when they head to Dunk City for a doubleheader with the women's team at Florida Gulf Coast. The Siena women tip off the action in Fort Myers at 5:15 p.m., with the men to follow at 8 p.m.