LOUDONVILLE,NY- Both the Siena Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams were victorious in each of their first of five total home games last week.
It is a great day to be a Saint! Especially if you like basketball because the Saints are taking over the Capital Region, playing 5 home games over the course of the week. The Men’s team started off the week by taking on the Canisius Golden Griffins at the newly named MVP Arena on Tuesday night in Albany.
The Saints were led by three players in triple digits including a career-high 24 points and 13 rebounds from senior guard Anthony Gains. Junior Colby Rogers had 14 points and senior Jackson Stormo rounded them out adding 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in their close 73-65 win over the Golden Griffins which brought their record to 9-8 (6-3 in the MAAC). The Golden Griffins were led by junior Jordan Henderson who had 18 points and teammates Armon Harried and Xzavier Long who added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
After a made jumper from Gains with a little over 15 minutes left in the halfway line, the Saints claimed a 9-8 lead and would never end up giving it back. A layup from Canisius senior guard Ahamadou Fofana brought the Golden Griffins within 5 going into the break. The Golden Griffins would go on a 7-2 run at the start of the second half tying the game at 34. But after the Saints Javian McCollum made a layup on Rogers’ assist, they went on an 11-4 run to extend their lead over Canisius. Canisius was able to cut the lead to six with just under three minutes left in the game but after a couple of quick baskets by Siena, they were forced to foul to stop the clock, eventually sending Siena to the line with the opportunity to increase their lead. Siena shot 50% from the field going 70% from the line and 33% from behind the arc.
Thursday, the Siena Women’s Basketball team took on Monmouth at the UHY Center at Siena’s Campus. It was not just an ordinary game. Members of Siena’s coaching staff, players, cheerleaders, and fans all wore pink in support of the fight against breast cancer. Each year, Siena designates one game where all proceeds go to those whose lives and/or whose family’s lives are impacted by cancer in the local community. Usually, the people who are recognized at the game walk out with a Saint but to ensure they remain in the best health, participants attended virtually this year. Each player paid tribute to these incredible women by holding up a poster as each of their inspiring stories were told.
Siena was able to pull out 61-54 win in a hard-fought game against Monmouth improving their overall record to 6-12 (6-4 in the MAAC). The Saints were led by the senior guard Rayshel Brown who scored 18 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Margo Peterson had 16 points and 4 rebounds followed by Senior forward Selena Philoxy who added 12 points 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Monmouth was led by senior guard Stella Clark who had a game-high 21 points, sophomore guard Ariana Vanderhoop who added 10 points, and sophomore Belle Kranbuhl who racked up 13 rebounds. The Saints shot 37.3% from the field, 40% from behind the arc, and 91.7% (11-12) from the free-throw line.
The Siena Men’s and Women’s teams continued their MAAC action as the men take on Rider at 7 pm Friday, Feb. 4 at the MVP Arena. The women hosted the Iona Gaels on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 2 pm and Niagara University on Monday, Feb. 7 at 7 pm at the UHY Center.