WASHINGTON, DC – Siena Basketball is now off to its first 6-2 non-conference start since the Clinton Administration. Gavin Doty delivered the decisive basket with 56.6 seconds remaining as the Saints grinded past defending Patriot League Champion and Tournament host American 59-55 on Day Two of the Capital Thanksgiving Classic at Bender Arena.
 
Doty finished with a game-high 17 points – including six of the final seven points in the last minute – for a Siena (6-2) squad which has secured its best eight-game non-conference start since the 2000-01 season. Francis Folefac contributed 14 points and seven rebounds for the Saints which have won four games in the span of just nine days to claim the program's longest winning streak in three years.
 
Reserve Madden Collins scored 13 points to lead American (4-4) which suffered just its third home loss in its past 21 outings at Bender Arena dating back to the start of last season. Matt Mayock added 13 points for the Eagles who were held 30 points under their Patriot League leading scoring average of 85.4 points entering play.
 
Meeting for the fifth time in the past seven years, the teams combined for just nine assists as opposed to 39 turnovers in a game where the defenses reigned supreme. The squads were also whistled for a collective 47 fouls leading to 56 total free throws in what turned into a second half foul fest.
 
American grinded to a 16-11 lead midway through the first half, but the understated Siena defense responded. The Saints held the Eagles scoreless for 6:28 and answered with nine straight points, ultimately taking a 21-20 lead at the half. Both teams shot identical 28% marks in the opening stanza, while combining to commit 23 turnovers.
 
The second half became a battle of attrition as the teams were whistled for 31 fouls, leading to 43 total free throws in the stanza. The Saints shot 58% (11-19) from the field in the second half, but missed 11 free throws in the stanza to let the Eagles remain close.
 
The teams exchanged leads on four straight possessions in the penultimate minute but, as they have all year so far, Siena continued to find a way to come through when it mattered most.
 
Doty drove the lane to put the Saints back in front for good at 54-53 with 56.6 seconds to go and then, after forcing a 19^th and final American turnover, the sophomore sank a pair of clutch free throws. Siena shot just 21-35 (60%) from the line overall, but bore down to go 5-6 in the final minute.
 
Justice Shoats added 12 points and swiped five steals for the Saints which recorded their third 12-steal game already this opening month. Siena also held the Eagles – which entered the day leading the Patriot League averaging 9.9 made threes – to just 3-16 from distance as part of an outstanding all-around defensive effort.   
 
The Saints will look to make it five wins in 10 days and sweep the Capital Thanksgiving Classic when they face Maine Sunday at 1 p.m.