PROVIDENCE, RI – First Team All-Ivy selection Kino Lilly, Jr. scored 24 of his game-high 26 points in the second half to rally Brown from an 18-point second half deficit to edge Siena Basketball 71-67 at the Pizzitola Sports Center.
 
Lilly, Jr., who misfired on each of his first 10 three-point attempts, connected on his final two on back-to-back possessions to give Brown (4-9) its first lead since the opening minute at 66-65 with 35.4 seconds to go. Lilly, Jr. scored the final 11 points for the Bears spanning the last 76 seconds to punctuate a game-ending 15-4 run.
 
Sean Durugordon posted his second straight 20-point game to begin his Siena (2-10, 1-1) career, registering 24 points and nine rebounds. Durugordon knocked down five of the season-high 10 threes for the Saints, who entered play averaging just 4.6 per game.
 
Siena led for more than 38 minutes and by as many as a season-high 18 points following their first possession of the second half.
 
The Saints jumped out to an 18-6 lead less than seven minutes in, and closed out the half with threes on each of their final two possessions to build a 38-23 lead at the break. Siena shot 7-12 from distance in the first half.
 
But Brown, which had shot just 29% (8-28) in the first half, connected on nine of their first 12 shot attempts to open the second half and chip away. Siena still held Brown at arm's length, leading by 11 at the eight-minute mark, but couldn't hold off the Bears' rally which kicked into overdrive down the stretch.
 
Michael Eley added 22 points and a career-high six assists and Zek Tekin also posted a personal-best seven assists for the Saints who dished out a season-high 18. Siena also tallied a season-high 10 blocks, highlighted by a career-high five from Killian Gribben.
 
Kalu Anya scored 17 points on 7-11 shooting and added eight rebounds for Brown which was playing for the first time in 12 days following their final exams.
 
The Saints return from the holiday break when they conclude non-conference action and the 2023 calendar year at UMass on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m.