Siena Saints Losing Streak Hits Six In Home Loss To Rider

It has been a long time since the Siena Saints started a season this poorly. However as Bill Parcells once said you are what your record says you are and the Saints record of 2-8 says they are not good right now and have a long way to go to get back to just the .500 mark after dropping a 62-56 decision to Rider University Friday night on their home court.

The 2-8 record is the Saints worse since they joined Division I hoops way back in 1976/77.

Falling behind big has been a constant for Siena and Friday was no different. Rider bolted out to a 14 point lead in the first half. Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro went to his bench and found a friendly face to get his team back in the ballgame. Rakeem Brookins, out the last three games with a recurring back injury, returned to lead the Saints in scoring with 12 points. He replaced the slumping Evan Hymes.

Down 41-29 in the second half coach Buonaguro went to his bench to infuse some energy. It worked as the Saints chipped away to make it a game. Two free throws by Brookins sliced the Rider lead to 56-51 with just over three minutes left. It was as close as the Saints would get.

O.D. Anosike who finished with another double-double had a chance to slice the lead to three but his layup was blocked by Rider's Junior Fortunat. The crowd of 5,500 plus howled and Anosike thought it was goaltending but the officials made no call.

The Broncos won the hustle categories as well, out boarding Siena 42-34, including 13 offensive rebounds. Those rebounds led to a 19-8 gap in second chance points favoring Rider who improved their record to 6-4.

Siena will have one more game before a needed two week break for exams when they travel to play a league game against Manhattan Sunday afternoon.