ALBANY, NY – Siena Basketball posted its best defensive scoring performance in a dozen years as the Saints cruised to their third straight victory with a 53-40 triumph over Manhattan in front of a capacity crowd of 7,146 at the Times Union Center. The stellar defensive showing marked the first time that Siena held an opponent to 40 points or fewer since a 64-40 win at NJIT on Nov. 27, 2006.

Six-time MAAC Rookie of the Week Jalen Pickett scored a game-high 18 points and added five rebounds and four steals for Siena (9-11, 4-3) in his final audition of the week, to make a strong case for what would be a fifth consecutive weekly honor come Monday. Classmate Sloan Seymour added eight points for the Saints, who have achieved their first three-game winning streak since Feb. 26 – Mar. 5, 2017.

Tyler Reynolds was the lone player in double figures for Manhattan (4-16, 2-6) with 12 points. Samir Stewart chipped in nine points off the bench for the Jaspers, who shot just 36.6% from the field.

The battle of the MAAC's top-two scoring defenses lived up to its billing. Siena led for nearly 34 minutes and reclaimed the lead for good on the strength of a 14-1 run late in the first half. The Saints held Manhattan without a field goal for 9:50 and scoreless for 6:19 during the stretch. The effort led to Siena allowing a season-low 17 first half points, while claiming a 23-17 lead at the break.

The Saints opened the second half on a 15-6 spurt to open as much as a 15-point lead midway through the stanza, leading by double figures the rest of the way. Siena shot an efficient 57% in the second half to seal their 14^th win in the last 16 matchups with the Jaspers at the Times Union Center.  

Meanwhile, the Saints were a Tykei Greene uncontested fast break dunk in the waning seconds away from breaking the program's Division I record for fewest points allowed in a game. Siena held Manhattan to 39 points on Feb. 26, 1997 in Riverdale.

Reserve Manny Camper contributed seven points, seven rebounds, and three steals for the Saints, who held a 30-10 advantage in points in the paint and a 13-2 margin in points off turnovers. Siena committed a season-low six miscues against an aggressive Jaspers' defense, which entered the day ranked 48^th nationally, forcing 15.6 turnovers per game.

Kadeem Smithen added seven key points off the bench for the Saints, who now move above .500 in conference play after being predicted to finish last in the MAAC. Smithen provided a huge shot in the arm as well on the defensive side of the court for Siena's much-improved defense, which is allowing just 58.1 points over the past nine games.

With the victory, the Saints have already exceeded last season's overall win total, while also matching last year's conference win mark in 11 fewer games.

Siena will now aim to keep its momentum going on the road, where it heads for four of its next five games. The Saints will also look to avenge their only loss over their last five contests – an overtime defeat vs. Monmouth – when they travel to the Jersey Shore to take on the Hawks Thursday. Siena will be in search of its first four-game winning streak since Jan. 7-17, 2017 when they tip off at 7 p.m.