NEW HAVEN, CT – In an epic 55-minute battle which featured 21 ties and 23 lead changes, defending Ivy League Champion Yale went on a decisive 8-0 run during the midst of triple overtime to defeat Siena Basketball 100-89 at the John J. Lee Amphitheater. Manny Camper posted career-highs of 22 points and 19 rebounds, while Elijah Burns added 22 points and seven caroms for the Saints.

Azar Swain led five in double figures with career-highs of 25 points and eight rebounds to go along with six assists for Yale (3-2), which played in its third overtime game in its first five games to open the season. Swain sunk the game-tying three with 2.0 seconds left in regulation as well as the equalizing free throws with 17.1 seconds remaining in the first overtime for the Bulldogs which improved to 46-8 in their last 54 home games.

Camper scored 18 of his 22 points after halftime, and his 19 rebounds were the most by a Siena (2-3) player in nearly seven years since OD Anosike grabbed 21 on Jan. 27, 2013 against Marist. Sophomore Jalen Pickett added his sixth career double-double – and narrowly missed a triple-double – in posting 17 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists while playing all 55 minutes.

The Saints shot just 33% for the contest – including only 3-24 (13%) spanning the three overtime periods – and misfired on their final 18 field goal attempts. Siena did however shoot a strong 80% (31-39) from the free throw line, grabbed 52 rebounds sparking an 18-5 advantage in second chance points, and scored 28 points on the fastbreak. Meanwhile Yale shot 52% from the field including 12-29 (41%) from three as opposed to just 4-22 (18%) from distance for the Saints.

The Bulldogs led by as many as six in the first half, but a running three from Donald Carey beat the halftime buzzer to knot the score at 32-all at the break. Carey was the fourth Saint in double figures with 18 points.

Both teams shot over 50% in an offensive-minded second half, and Siena took a three-point lead on a Pickett free throw with 10.0 seconds to go. But, out of a timeout after advancing the ball into the frontcourt, Swain drilled a long straightaway three with 2.0 seconds left to send the game to overtime tied at 72.

In the first overtime, Swain again knotted the score at 80 on a pair of free throws with 17.1 seconds remaining. The Saints then had a look at a potential game-winning three, but it was off the mark.

Meanwhile in the second overtime, it was Siena which had to rally late. Pickett drew a foul with 5.7 seconds left and connected on two clutch free throws to send the contest to a third and final overtime all square at 86.

But in the final session, Matthue Cotton hit the go-ahead three with 2:16 left and Jordan Bruner followed up a missed free throw with 1:22 remaining to put Yale up a half dozen and seal the deal. Bruner stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, nine rebounds, nine assists, and seven blocks, while Paul Atkinson added 21 points and nine rebounds on 9-11 shooting for the Bulldogs.

Siena will now break for 10 days before resuming play following the Thanksgiving Break. The Saints continue their season long four-game road trip – and face yet another defending conference champion – when they travel to reigning Patriot League Champion Colgate on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m.