FORT MYERS, FL – Siena Basketball whittled a 20-point deficit with just 8:32 remaining to only six less than six minutes later, but couldn't complete the comeback in a 75-64 setback to Jacksonville in the Fort Myers Tip-Off Palms Division Third Place Game at Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
 
ASUN Preseason Player of the Year Robert McCray V led four in double figures for Jacksonville (4-3) with 21 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
 
Siena (3-4) meanwhile was led by freshman reserves Gavin Doty and Tajae Jones who each achieved career performances. Doty, who had totaled just 12 points and six rebounds spanning his first six collegiate games, went off for 21 points and nine rebounds while also drawing seven fouls. Jones added a career-high 11 points as the Saints bench outscored the Dolphins reserves 34-17, thanks mostly to the duo.
 
Jacksonville, which led throughout, scored the first eight points and raced out to a commanding 25-8 lead just 7:17 in. The Dolphins, who came in shooting just 31% from three while averaging 7.7 makes per game, shot 6-8 from distance during the flurry.
 
Siena never got any closer than 11 the remainder of the first half, and trailed 41-26 at the break. The Saints shot just 27% (6-22) in the opening stanza and committed 11 turnovers, leading to a decisive 20-2 advantage in points off turnovers for Jacksonville.
 
The Dolphins built their lead to as many as 20 at 63-43 with 8:32 left and appeared set to cruise from there. But Siena fought back to put another scare into a Jacksonville squad which had blown a 16-point second half lead in an overtime loss the day prior.
 
The Saints responded with a 19-5 run spanning just 5:16 to quickly rally within only a two-possession game at 68-62 with still 2:56 remaining following consecutive Major Freeman threes. The only Saint to score in double figures in all seven games, Freeman finished with 12 points and four assists.
 
But Jacksonville ultimately weathered the storm and scored the next seven points to serve Siena its fourth straight defeat following three consecutive wins to open the season.
 
The Saints equaled a strong, physical Jacksonville squad on the glass 30-30, while limiting the Dolphins to just six offensive rebounds. Jacksonville entered play ranked seventh nationally in offensive rebounding (16.2) and atop the ASUN in rebound margin (+7.2).
 
Siena returns to the Northeast for its third straight neutral site contest during a seven-game stretch away from home. The Saints battle Bucknell to close out a busy three-game holiday week Saturday at 6 p.m. in Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania, to highlight a homecoming for Northeast PA natives in head coach Gerry McNamara and Justice Shoats.
 
This postgame recap is proudly presented by The Brothers that just do Gutters, a proud partner of Siena Athletics. Trust the team that always comes through – on the court and for your home.