ALBANY - Siena played one of its best offensive halves

Despite playing without Imoh Silas (ankle), Ryan Oliver (knee) and Rakeem Brookins (back), the Saints played tough.

Siena was led offensively by Rob Poole, who missed the past four games due to the flu. Poole has 12 and Evan Hymes chipped in 11.

The Purple Eagles were led by a balanced attack. Juan'ya Green and Ameen Tanksley each have nine points.

The Saints trail by only two to a team that beat them by 23, just eight days ago. That's the good news. The bad news is that Niagara led by only six in that game and blew it open after intermission.

The game has also had some physicality, with Hymes picking up a flagrant and Joe Thomas picking up a technical foul. Tanksley also took a tumble, when colliding with Burdine and Anosike.