ALBANY, NY – All five starters scored in double figures for Canisius which defeated Siena Basketball 93-88 in front of 5,838 at MVP Arena.  
 
MAAC leading scorer Paul McMillan IV led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds for Canisius (3-24, 3-13) which kept its dwindling conference tournament hopes alive. Tana Kopa added 18 points for the Golden Griffins who shot 56% while establishing a season-high in scoring. Canisius entered play ranked 11^th from the bottom nationally in scoring (64.6).
 
Four scored in double figures for Siena (13-15, 8-9), highlighted by three 20-point scorers in what turned into a shootout down the stretch. Gavin Doty established a new career-high in scoring for the second straight Sunday, tallying 19 of his 23 points in the second half while adding eight rebounds for the Saints.
 
The Golden Griffins never trailed and opened as much as a 10-point first half lead midway through the stanza and matched it at the break, 37-27. Canisius, which entered the day second-to-last nationally in field goal defense (.499), held Siena to just 32% shooting. Meanwhile, the Golden Griffins shot 53% in the first half and held a 26-4 advantage in points in the paint.
 
At the other end, Canisius swiped 12 first half steals as the Saints, who had averaged just 6.5 turnovers over their previous four games, turned it over 14 times in the opening stanza alone.  
 
The Golden Griffins scored nine straight midway through the second half to push the lead to as much as 19 at 61-42 with 9:14 to go, forcing Siena into speed-up mode early. The situation sparked the Saints offense which exploded for 46 points on 75% (18-24) shooting over the final 8:56 to claw back.
 
But Siena couldn't quiet the Canisius offense at the other end. The Golden Griffins shot 58% in the second half and made their free throws – going 23-27 from the line in the stanza – to score 56 points of their own in the period.
 
The Saints, who finished with 61 second half points, ended on a 14-3 flurry over the final 95 seconds, but it was too little too late.  
 
Dylan Godfrey and Cam Palesse chipped in 16 points apiece for Canisius which snapped an eight-game losing streak.
 
Reserve Reid Ducharme scored a career-high 21 points on 8-11 shooting including 5-7 from three in a breakout performance for Siena. Brendan Coyle added 20 points and a career-high five of the season-high tying 13 steals for the Saints, who were forced to settle for an eighth split in as many full MAAC weekends.  
 
Siena will now have a full week to prepare for the start of the final month of the season. The Saints have their last regular season league bye Friday before opening March with a trip to Mount St. Mary's next Sunday at 2 p.m. in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
 
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.