Albany, NY — A nailbiter. That’s what Saturday’s Metro Atlantic Athletics Conference (MAAC) contest between Siena and Niagara was. But in the end three-point shooting pushed the Saints past the Purple People Eaters, I mean Eagles.
Siena (14-15, 11-7 MAAC) opened the evening showdown with a 7-0 run courtesy of Seniors Brett Bisping and Lavon Long. “It’s coming to a close quick. We’re never gonna be here again, so why not keep pushing,” said Long, who’s only guaranteed to hit the TU Center hardwood twice more.
The Eagles (9-20, 6-12 MAAC) clawed their way back and brought about the game’s first tie just minutes after the run. “They are a really good team, their young and there a really good team,” said Siena coach Jimmy Patsos of the Eagles.
Following the first twenty minutes of play, Siena found themselves ahead by six, 41-35. But Niagara came out ready to fight after their trip to the locker room and brought the Siena lead to just one, 45-44, with 15:31 remaining in the contest.
“It’s been an emotional week,” Patsos said. “We were a little flat; I’ll take that. I did a bad job as a coach on Friday, figuring out what to do [to motivate my players], that’s my responsibility.”
Motivated or not, something clicked, and the Saints became money from three-point land, dropping five straight (Brett Bisping, Marquis Wright, Nico Clareth, Marquis Wright, Ahsante Shivers) to put the Saints up 70-62, with 3:04 remaining. They wouldn’t look back.
In similar fashion to the way they started the night, Lavon Long and Brett Bisping combined for the Saints final six points, closing things up at 76-70 (FINAL).
“It’s a great place to play so I don’t know why I wouldn’t leave everything I’ve got out there, Bisping went on to say.
Siena will play their next game Friday night at Monmouth, ESPN 2, before returning to the TU Center for their final home game of the season on Sunday, February 26, at 4:00 p.m.
NOTE: Patsos left the media with quite the parting gift. “When is the bird happiest? When he’s flying higher. I just don’t want to be ridiculous and fly too close to the sun.”
-Dylan Rossiter(@ByDylan Rossiter)
