Siena came back after falling behind by a 20-2 margin in the first four and a half minutes to pull off a 65-62 upset over top ranked Iona at the Times Union Center on Monday night.

Iona opened the game on an 11-0 run but the Saints used a 12-0 run of their own for 5 critical minutes of the second half to give the Saints their first lead at 58-57. Kyle Downey’s three pointer gave the Saints a one-point lead then and with 51 seconds left, Downey’s jumper gave the Saints a 63-62 lead they would hold onto. The senior Downey scored 16 points while junior O.D. Anosike had a team-high 17 points and team-high 15 rebounds.

Sean Armand, who lit up the Saints with 32 points in their last meeting 20 days prior, drew a technical foul with 5:38 left in the first half and was held to 0 points in the contest. Armand’s teammate Scott Machado drew one with 1:11 left in the first half. Preseason Player of the Year Michael Glover led the Gaels with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Freshman Rob Poole made his presence off the bench felt with 14 points, making two-three pointers and dishing out a team-high 6 assists to go with 6 rebounds after playing a season low 14 minutes on Thursday at Loyola. It looked like Poole was calling for the basketball late in the game, ice in his veins!

Siena held Iona to 3 for 16 from three point range after giving up 17 for 39 in their last meeting.

SienaSaintsBlog:  What Siena player are you looking forward to seeing play this year?

Raphielle Johnson/CollegeHoops.Net: Kyle Downey’s return will be good for the backcourt if he can stay healthy but the one player I really want to see is O.D. Anosike. You don’t just replace a player the caliber of Ryan Rossiter; other guys need to step up their play to collectively make up for the departure of a player like Ryan. Anosike averaged 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season, so clearly there will be more chances for him to increase those numbers. And with those chances will come more trips to the foul line, meaning that he’s got to step that part of his game up as well (how many points did Ringgold leave on the court due to his free throw troubles?). There are plenty of Saints to point out but if they’re to have a shot at finishing 4th it’s got to be Anosike who takes a big step forward.

SienaSaintsBlog:  Coach Mitch Buonaguro doesn’t want to call this a rebuilding year – but for all intents and purposes… is this a rebuilding year? where are the Saints on the cycle between retool/rebuild?

Raphielle Johnson/CollegeHoops.Net: I agree with Coach in terms of not using the dreaded “R word”; for a lot of fans that could also mean “resume”, as in “update your resume”. I think Siena’s in between retooling and rebuilding, with guys who are going from their freshman to sophomore years to step up. Rakeem Brookins is a player who comes to mind in that regard, as does Trenity Burdine and senior Brandon Walters needs to make good on his talent as well. Downey and Owen Wignot will help with regards to having steady leadership (as will Anosike), but the youngsters will need to step up as well.

SienaSaintsBlog:  What two things need to happen for Siena to have a good season?

Raphielle Johnson/CollegeHoops.Net: The two things that need to happen are:

1. Anosike needs to become a consistent force on the low block. Not say he’s got to be on the level of a Mike Glover or Rossiter (that would be unrealistic) but he has to be a guy that Coach and the staff can count on for 13+ points and 7+ rebounds per night.

2. Brookins needs to become one of the better point guards in the MAAC. He’s clearly going to be tested when considering a Derek Needham or Scott Machado, but there’s room to take some steps when considering the losses at a Niagara (Anthony Nelson) or Saint Peter’s (Nick Leon). Can he get it done? Doing so will likely mean more scoring from him as well, but he’s got the tools needed to step up.

SienaSaintsBlog: Now for a MAAC preview, so you’re the believer in Rider this year (see here: article “Ignore Rider at Your Own Peril”) – make the case, can Rider win it?

Raphielle Johnson/CollegeHoops.Net: I think the Broncs can win the MAAC, although there is a gap between Fairfield, Iona and the rest of the conference. Rider loses two key players in Justin Robinson and Mike Ringgold, but in Novar Gadson they’ve got one of the best players in the conference. Jonathon Thompson (2nd on the team in assists per game last season) will have an expanded role that in talking with Coach Dempsey early in the fall he’s ready to take on, and freshman Eddie Mitchell will be key as well. And you can’t talk Rider front court play without mentioning reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year Danny Stewart. Brandon Penn provides another experienced body inside, and Virginia transfer Jeff Jones ranks right up with Fairfield’s Rakim Sanders and Desmond Wade when discussing the top transfers. What Rider will need to do in order to pass the two favorites is continue to improve defensively. The numbers improved last season when compared to prior campaigns, but they need to continue defending at a consistent level in order to have a shot.

SienaSaintsBlog: With MoMo Jones now eligible for the Iona Gaels, does anyone stand in their way?

Raphielle Johnson/CollegeHoops.Net: The addition of MoMo Jones is a good one for the Gaels. A team that was already deep on the perimeter with the likes of Scott Machado, Kyle Smyth, Jermel Jenkins and Sean Armand among others adds another piece. But if anything I think this does more to widen the gap between Iona/Fairfield and the rest of the MAAC than anything else. Fairfield brings back a wealth of experience and in terms of impact transfers I’d take Rakim Sanders over Jones. I’ll stick with the Stags to win the league at this point, but those two regular season meetings will be ones that no hoops fan will want to miss.

SienaSaintsBlog: What’s your top 3 in the MAAC for this year?

Raphielle Johnson/CollegeHoops.Net: My Top 3 in the MAAC are Fairfield, Iona and Rider. Fairfield has a lot back for a defending champion, and their transfers (Rakim Sanders and Desmond Wade) will be able to step in and have an impact immediately. And don’t forget about freshman Adam Jones; his activity is something else the Stags can add off the bench. I really like Iona. They’re likely going to be the best offensive team in the MAAC. You look at guys like Machado, Glover, Jenkins, Smyth coming back, not to mention newcomers such as Momo Jones and Rashad James, and Tim Cluess won’t lack for weapons. But defensively I give the edge to Fairfield right now, even with a new head coach. Should be fun to watch, that’s for sure.

Follow Raphielle Johnson on twitter at @raphiellej

From SienaSaints.com…

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We’re tweeting to #champfortnight #siena tonight.

CoverItLive: TU Blog

Ryan shares the Player of the week honors with Junior Guard Scott Machado of Iona.

Photo courtesy of Shane Bufano for Siena Saints Blog.

Siena trailed by 10 or more on two separate occasions in each half, but was able to close the gap to 3 with 30 seconds to go on a Burdine 3 pointer. Jonathan Breeden, started for the injured Rakheem Brookins, and played spectacularly– Breeden finished with a career high 24 points on 10 of 14 shooting.

Scott Machado was benched for the start of both halves tonight, but the Gaels did fine without him. Mike Glover asserted himself as a front running candidate for MAAC Player of the Year, refusing to be shut down this time around. Glover lead his team to victory with 22 points and 16 rebounds. Junior Jemel Jenkins went 5 of 10 from beyond the arc and dropped 19 points.

Clarence Jackson, playing at 70% on two bad ankles was 4 of 8 from beyond the arc. He finished with 14 points in 32 minutes of action.

Ryan Rossiter showed why he is the pre-season MAAC Player of the Year as he put this team on his shoulders in the second half posting 18 points and outplaying Iona’s Michael Glover who finished with a mere 6 points in the second half.

Rakeem “Rahk” Brookins showed that he has the makings of yet another special player in Siena lure.  With 3:24 left in the game, he hits a three with less than 5 seconds on the shot clock to put the Saints up 64-63, and showed that he has the ability to step up when the game is on the line.

Room for Improvement:

Siena aced a huge test last night.  You would like to see the team come out of the gate a little better because coming back from 14 down will not happen often.  O.D. Anosike’s inconsistency with his ability to stay on the floor due to foul trouble and his inconsistent offensive output (6 points, 1 rebound) is still a cause for concern. Anosike drew his third foul in the middle of the first half and did not return after picking up his fourth foul with 14:49 in the game.

Keys to Success:

Execution down the stretch.   This was a room for improvement topic in after Siena’s loss at St Bonavenutre.  After the last media timeout the Saints went 3-4 from the field, 5-5 from the line, with 1 turnover.

Free Throw shooting. The Saints went 17-18 from the charity stripe and held Iona to only 11 attempts.

The Defense. They held Iona who entered the game as a threat from the outside to only 7-31 (23%) from beyond the arc. disrupting a lot of those attempts on the wings of a 2-3 zone led by the activity of Wignot and Martens.

Five Facts:
1.  Siena is 5-0 this season when making more free throws than their opponent attempts.

2.  Saints are 2-2 with Clarence Jackson out of the lineup.

3.  Siena was +6 in the Assist to turnover department. The Saints have had a positive assist to turnover ratio in each of the last three games.

4.  Saints are on a 3 game home winning streak.

5.  Davis Martens played a season high 24 minutes.

Five Questions:
1.  How long can this team sustain the loss of Clarence Jackson?

2.  When was the last time you saw a media timeout with 5.5 seconds left in a half? (Occurred last night @ the end of the first half)

3.  Will Davis Martens get a start this year?

4.  Is Owen Wignot the heart and soul of this team?

5.  Is Rakeem “Rahk” Brookins in the running for MAAC Rookie of the Year?

Five Words:
MAAC play has officially arrived.

Preseason MAAC Player of the Year Ryan Rossiter delivered a floater plus a free throw for a three-point play to give the Saints a 69-67 lead with 49.3 left in the game.

It was Rossiter who kept the Saints in the game with his performance but the freshman Rahkeem Brookins came to the aid of Rossiter late to give the Saints their fifth victory of the season.

The MAAC Preseason Player of the Year took control tonight. Rossiter’s layup off a Rakeem Brookins pass and completed the three point play to give the Saints a 53-48 lead. The senior Rossiter, coming off two road games where he scored a combined 14 points, erupted for a team high 26 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile Brookins built off of his impressive individual performances on the Saints road trip to score 11 points and dish out 4 assists.

Brookins nailed a long three pointer with the shot clock winding down to give the Saints a 64-63 lead with 3:24 left. Rossiter’s hook shot over a triple-team with 1:42 left gave the Saints a 66-65 lead before the Gaels Scott Machado’s mid range jumper gave the Gaels a 67-66 lead.

The Saints did the little things to keep pace with the Gaels, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds and making 17 of their 18 free throws.

Davis Martens came off the bench and tied a career-high with 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds filling in for sophomore O.D. Anosike who picked up his fourth personal foul with 14:49 left in the game. Anosike picked up his third foul with 9:07 left in the first half.

Owen Wignot quietly had a career night, racking up a career-high 9 rebounds and career-high 5 assists to go with 8 points.

The Gaels shot just 7 for 31 from three point range, shooting 3 for 17 in the first half for a team who shoots 34.6% from behind the arc, ranking 2nd in the MAAC entering tonight. Iona had a period where they went over 14 minutes without a three pointer until Rashon Dwight made a three with 17:30 left in the game.

Sean Armand nailed a dagger three with 7:02 to go to cap a 10-0 run and give the Gaels a 60-59 lead. However the Saints came back as Brookins dashed through the Iona bigs in the lane for a layup and a 61-60 lead.

The Gaels went on a 12-0 run in the first half to take a double digit lead and assume control early as the Saints struggled to make shots, shooting just 4 for 21 to start the game. However, the Saints closed the half on a 12-2 run to cut a double digit deficit to three and go into halftime trailing 34-31.

Rakeem Brookins layup off a transition pass from Owen Wignot gave the Saints a 42-41 lead with 16:50 left, their first lead since leading 3-2.

Scott Machado led the Gaels with 20 points on 9 of 20 shooting from the field. Mike Glover scored 18 points and brought down a team-high 8 rebounds.

The Saints notched their third straight home win after dropping their first four games at the Times Union Center this season.

Iona has lost 10 games in a row to the Saints and 19 out of the last 24 meetings with Siena. The Saints and Gaels are now in a four-way tie for third place in the MAAC standings with 2-1 records.

Iona leads the overall series versus the Saints 48-45, but the Saints have won the last 9 consecutive games against the Gaels and the last 17 of 21 games played between the two teams.  The new look Gaels are looking to continue their improvement, building on a 21-10 record last year.  The Gaels have a new coach, Tim Cluess, who has stepped up from the Division II ranks, and an outstanding transfer leading the way this year in Michael Glover.  The 6’7″ junior Glover is averaging 21 points, and almost 11 rebounds a game, and is one of only 4 players in the country averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.  Glover had 25 points and 16 rebounds in a closely contested 83-77 loss to the Syracuse Orangeman in the Carrier Dome a couple of weeks ago.  Glover is averaging a gaudy 63% field goals made per contest, and has clearly taken over the top spot in the MAAC Player of the Year race.

6’1″ junior guard Scott Machado continues to lead the Gaels at the point, and has definitely become one of the premier point guards in the league.  Machado is averaging 14 points a game, and dishing out just over 8 assists per game which is tied for the best in the nation, while turning it over only 4 times per game.  Machado is also averaging about 5 rebounds per game.  The Gaels have 6’4″ sophomore guard Kyle Smyth as their 3rd leading scorer, chipping in almost 14 points per game, and Smyth is also shooting well from beyond the arc, converting 44% of his 3-point attempts.

The Gaels aren’t as deep as they were last year, when Kevin Willard sent 10 players out on the hardwood regularly, but the players seems to know their roles, and Tim Cluess has them playing very good basketball together.

The Saints, on the other hand, have been riding a roller coaster since their opening game loss at home to Vermont.  The Saints have played tough all year long, and had a chance to win every contest except two – Butler and Fairfield.  The Fairfield loss stung even more because it was the only real lopsided loss and it was at home, but the Saints have had something to build on from every game so far.  Their most recent loss against St. Joseph’s was really bad, as it was the first time since 2005 that they failed to score 50 points in a game, but they still had a chance to win it late.

The Saints will look to bounce back on Monday night again without Clarence Jackson.  Kyle Downey is averaging just over 12 points and 5 rebounds over the last four games starting in place of the injured senior two guard.  Owen Wignot, who was red hot from 3-point range before getting injured, is only 1-11 from deep since returning to the starting lineup.  And what the Saints will need most during conference play is for Ryan Rossiter to get his name back to the forefront of the MAAC player of the year discussion after averaging only 7 points against constant double teams from St. Bonaventure and St. Joseph’s.

One of the bright spots of the road trip was that freshman point guard Rahkeem Brookins averaged 15 points and did not turn the ball over once, but he had his minutes and production limited due to cramps against St. Bonaventure and foul trouble against St. Joseph’s.  “Rahk” now needs to find a way to continue his positive production while also making sure to keep himself on the court.  The team itself had only 15 turnovers combined for both games, so some of the early season issues seem to be worked out – the problem is that those improvements are still not converting in to wins.

The strength of the Saints this year was supposed to be their frontcourt, spearheaded by Rossiter, but the improvement of sophomore OD Anosike was supposed to bolster the front line.  OD started the season well, but is averaging only 7 points and 4 rebounds per game.  Now that the country’s 38th most difficult non-conference schedule has concluded, maybe the Saints can get OD going again, as well as maintain the positive production of sophomore reserve Davis Martens, who has played well as the first big man off the bench.  The banged up Saints do have bodies to roll out there, and they will need production from everyone to get back over .500.

If the Saints have the tools to contend in the MAAC conference then they will need to show them against the Gaels.  Iona is scoring over 80 points a game, but they are giving up about 73 points per contest, so the Saints will try to get back up in the scoring column.  The Saints are still continuing to improve with their defense, rebounding, and turnovers, but it will take a complete effort to beat the Gaels.

The matchups of Brookins vs. Machado and Rossiter vs. Glover should be incredibly fun to watch, as will what should be a high-scoring gun slinging affair from both clubs.  Each win the Saints can get is vital the rest of the way to help with seeding in the conference tournament, and the friendly confines of the Times Union Center must be protected if the Saints want to improve their path to an unprecedented fourth conference championship.  It all starts against the Gaels on Monday night, who are trying to prove that they are the team to beat this year.

He got a nice shout out in ESPN.com’s weekly watch.

Siena plays Iona on Monday January 3rd at the Times Union Center.