DAYTON, OH – Forget a double order. Siena Basketball produced a whole garden full of onions in their first trip back to University of Dayton Arena since the program's unforgettable 2009 NCAA Tournament run. All five starters scored in double figures – three of which posted 20-plus point performances – as the Saints soared past perennial Atlantic 10 power Dayton 99-89 in front of a silenced 97
th consecutive sellout crowd of 13,407 at UD Arena.
Siena (2-1) personified the "chaos" style preached by new head coach
Nevada Smith for a full 40 minutes. The Saints up-tempo attack equaled the program's highest scoring output in a regulation game (99-78 at win at Canisius on Jan. 24, 2016) in 23 years, dating back to a 100-69 win vs. Saint Peter's on Mar. 1, 2003. Siena made 11 threes, while a tenacious defense swiped 14 steals – including three apiece by four different players – forcing 18 total turnovers leading to 20 points.
Reigning Metro Conference Player and Rookie of the Week
Tim Ibukunoluwa posted his third straight 20-plus point performance to begin his collegiate career, serving as the Saints high scorer with 23 points.
Brendan Coyle contributed 21 points while shooting a stellar 6-9 from three, and freshman
Trent Egbiremolen was clutch down the stretch, scoring 18 of his 20 points in the second half, while narrowly missing a double-double in adding nine rebounds.
Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week Aiden Dercack posted a double-double with game-highs of 25 points and 10 rebounds for Dayton (1-2) which is coming off a 25-win season and NIT Quarterfinal appearance from a season ago. Tristan Ford added 19 of his 21 points in the second half including a perfect 5-5 from three for the Flyers, which shot 54% from the field.
Siena, which led for more than 29 minutes in a hostile environment on the road, produced an early 18-8 run to claim a 20-16 lead at the 13:13 mark. Coyle, who scored 15 of his points in the opening stanza while shooting 4-5 from distance, connected for the go-ahead triple on the Saints final possession of the first half to stake Siena to a 46-45 advantage following a highly entertaining first 20 minutes.
The Saints secured a 15-5 spurt over 4:48 early in the second half to expand their lead to double digits on an Ibukunoluwa steal and three-quarter court run out and slam to claim a 70-60 advantage with 10:30 remaining. Dayton scored the next eight points to rally within two, but got no closer as Siena dug in its heels down the stretch.
Coyle gave the Saints some "early onions," as Bill Raftery would say, connecting for a clutch three from the same spot as the iconic Ronald Moore triple to down Ohio State in double overtime in the First Round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. The sixth three of the night for the graduate student pushed the Siena lead back to seven at 82-75 with 3:02 to play.
After shooting just 63% from the free throw line over their first two games, the Saints were near automatic from the charity stripe late to seal the first victory by a Metro Conference program at Dayton in 33 years since a 66-63 Niagara victory on Jan. 12, 1993. Siena shot 28-33 overall from the free throw line, including a remarkable 24-26 (92%) in the second half. The Saints were 13-14 over the final 1:32, including a perfect 8-8 from Egbiremolen who made all 12 of his second half free throws. Meanwhile, the Flyers shot just 6-12 from the free throw line overall.
Pace Prosser served as the catalyst for the Siena offense, dishing out 11 assists without committing a turnover, while also pouring in 17 points.
Reid Ducharme rounded out the Saints five double-digit scoring starters with 11 points
Siena returns to the Capital Region for the program's first Saturday home game at MVP Arena in four years when the Saints host Brown Saturday night at 7 p.m.
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.
