Here's the second game story from Jack that ran it today's paper.

Jack McCaffery
For The Record

SAMMARINESE, San Marino — In a 103-92 victory Friday night over Fulgor Libertas, the Siena basketball team was able to cross two entries off its bucket list of must-do's on its five-game trip to Italy.

The Saints learned that they could win in a pressurized environment against a veteran, professional international opponent. And they confirmed that sophomore guard Clarence Jackson can be a dangerous offensive weapon.

With Kenny Hasbrouck in quick foul trouble in both halves, Jackson played approximately 25 minutes and scored a game-high 22 points — 18 in the first half. He shot 7-for-12 from the floor, 3-for-6 behind the international 3-point stripe and 5-for-6 from the line, and was vital to the Saints' survival in a heated, physical affair.

A significantly older and taller opponent than the Saints faced in their Italy opener in Castellanza, Fulgor Libertas played rugged defense, particularly inside. When Siena coach Fran McCaffery loudly protested the Libertas style, he was ejected from the game with 2:57 left in the third quarter. Associate head coach Mitch Buonaguro coached the remainder of the game.

"I've coached in enough games both in the United States and overseas to know when the game is out of control," McCaffery said. "And my responsibility is to be concerned with the health and welfare of our players, first and foremost. I will always fight for that, no matter what."

The Saints led, 76-75, after three quarters, but rode the offense of Hasbrouck and the defensive rebounding of Ryan Rossiter to victory in the final 10 minutes.

Hasbrouck saved nine of his 14 points for the fourth quarter. Rossiter had four fourth-quarter defensive rebounds, each one important to the limiting of Libertas opportunities.

Alex Franklin scored 20 points and Edwin Ubiles had 15. Ronald Moore contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds — and sufficient point-guard steadiness to keep the Saints steady against a swarming Libertas defense. But it was the injection of offense from Jackson — and some defense and rebounding, too — that was the difference as the Saints improved to 2-0 in the exhibition tour.

"I just tried to come into the game and bring energy," Jackson said. "I wanted to get some things going. The one thing I want to work on is my defense. And tonight I was able to stay with my man, coming off screens and things like that. When the other team started to come at me, I was able to kick it to some other players for some buckets."

With Tay Fisher graduated, Jackson is ticketed for regular time in the Saints backcourt rotation. Friday, Jackson was consistent behind the stripe, but also gave the Saints an additional around-the-basket scoring threat.

"I can shoot the three, but I can do other things, like taking the ball off the dribble," Jackson said. "Whatever I can do to help the team win, that's what I'll do."

With Hasbrouck whistled for two quick fouls, the Saints received strong production out of a Ubiles-Jackson backcourt and led, 28-27, after the first quarter. In that first 10 minutes, Jackson had nine points, two rebounds and an assist.

"Tonight, Clarence scored the ball and limited his mistakes," McCaffery said. "In our first game, he scored extremely well but had five turnovers. Tonight, he scored the ball, but he also stole the ball, rebounded the ball and didn't turn it over. And that's the real Clarence Jackson."

The Saints needed a Ubiles dunk on an alley-oop feed from Moore at the first-half buzzer to take a 53-51 lead. Jackson shot 5-for-8 in the first half.

The game remained tight until Hasbrouck took over in the fourth quarter, which the Saints won, 27-17.

"Kenny didn't play 18 minutes in the first half because of foul trouble," McCaffery said. "But he settled us down in the second half. And Ronald Moore had a great game, with Kenny out with foul trouble. So I thought all in all, we got good play from a lot of people."

The Saints received that production in a difficult environment.

"That's what we expected," Moore said. "But we just have to play through it. Tonight, we did. Guys stayed calm. I tried to be the floor general and just bring us home. Compared to first team we played, this team had more size and better talent. And just being over here and playing in games like this is only going to make us better in the regular season."