WASHINGTON, DC – Freshman reserve Michael Eley scored 13 of his season-high tying 16 points in the second half as Siena Basketball cooled off red-hot American 64-61 at Bender Arena. Jayce Johnson added 14 points – highlighted by a decisive three in the waning seconds – to help the Saints secure the program's first winning non-conference season in seven years.
 
Jackson Stormo also contributed 14 points as part of a balanced team effort for shorthanded Siena (7-5, 1-0) who overcame the absence of two-time MAAC Player of the Week and leading scorer Javian McCollum (17.3 points per game). Jared Billups rounded out four double figure scorers with 10 points for the Saints who wrapped up the non-conference portion of their schedule with a winning record (6-5) for the first time since finishing 7-4 in 2015-16.
 
Matt Rogers scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half for Patriot League upstart American (8-3) which saw its longest winning streak in 11 years halted at eight straight. Johnny O'Neil chipped in 13 points on 5-7 shooting for the Eagles who lost despite shooting 51% from the field.
 
Siena led for 38 minutes and by as many as 13 points late in the first half. With McCollum out, the Saints deployed a big lineup which yielded immediate dividends. Siena out-rebounded American 22-8 in the first half, grabbing as many offensive rebounds as the Eagles had total rebounds. As a result, the Saints held a 9-0 edge in second chance points, which proved to be the difference at the break in a 32-23 advantage.
 
American, which entered play ranked 32^nd nationally in field goal percentage (.489), heated up in the second half to mount a comeback. The Eagles connected on eight of their first nine shots to slowly chip away, and ultimately claimed their first lead of the afternoon at 46-45 with 9:03 to go. The teams exchanged leads and ties on the ensuing five possessions, but Eley and Siena came through clutch down the stretch.
 
Eley broke a 50-all tie with back-to-back jumpers to give Siena back the lead for the good. The freshman – who had attempted just six total free throws through his first 10 collegiate games – also shot 7-8 from the charity stripe in the second half. Meanwhile Johnson delivered the dagger down the stretch, beating the shot clock with a step-back three with 21.3 seconds to go to push the lead to five.
 
The Saints will now have a full week to enjoy the Holiday Break before returning to play – and resuming MAAC action – next Friday, Dec. 30 at Quinnipiac at 4 p.m.