LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Siena Basketball erased a six-point deficit in the final minute, but a Tank Byard put-back at the buzzer pushed Rider to a 61-59 decision at Alumni Gymnasium. The Saints shot just 13-23 from the free throw line in suffering their fifth straight road defeat, the last four of which have been by two possessions or less.
 
T.J. Weeks scored a game-high 23 points on 6-9 shooting including 10-11 from the free throw line for Rider (9-15, 5-8). Flash Burton added 15 points, while Byard contributed 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
 
Gavin Doty scored 15 points on 5-6 shooting and added eight rebounds for Siena (11-13, 6-7) which shot just 4-20 from three and was out-rebounded by nine. Justice Shoats chipped in 13 points for the Saints who committed a season-low six turnovers.
 
Siena scored six straight to open as much as an eight-point first half lead at 24-16 with 6:21 remaining. But the Saints missed seven first half free throws allowing the Broncs to lurk. Rider ended the half on a 16-5 run to claim a 32-29 lead at the break.
 
Siena opened the second half with nine unanswered points to reclaim a quick six-point advantage, but once more the Broncs hung around and clawed back. Rider went on an 11-2 run over 5:11 down the stretch to open their largest lead of the afternoon, albeit at just six at 59-53 with 1:11 left.
 
But as the Saints have made a habit of this season, they forged another near miraculous comeback late. The Broncs missed two front ends of one-and-ones while also committing a turnover, and meanwhile Siena scored on each of their three possessions to pull even on a Brendan Coyle put-back with 20 seconds to go.
 
However, on the final possession, Burton missed a driving layup but Byard cleaned it up in traffic to hand the Saints another gut-wrenching road setback.
 
Major Freeman scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half for Siena, with his final bucket during the last-minute comeback bid accounting for his 1,000^th collegiate point.
 
The Saints return to the Capital Region for a Valentine's Day showdown with I-87 rival Marist on Friday at 7 p.m. at MVP Arena.
 
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.