J.S. Carras - The Record

ALBANY - Rich Audu didn't start on Sunday, but the Siena freshman didn't let that affect him.

Audu had only averaged 10.4 minutes per game this season, but he played nearly four times that number in the Saints' 66-53 victory over Saint Peter's.

With four minutes remaining and Siena's lead cut to four, 51-47, Audu nailed back-to-back 3-pointers that put the game out of reach.

“Those three's were big," said sophomore Rakeem Brookins. They were tremendous.”

Audu started in place of Rob Poole (flu) on Friday night, but then saw a majority of the minutes go to fellow freshman Ryan Oliver. 

On Sunday, Oliver started, but came out after only one minute, due to a knee sprain and Audu stepped in. 

“I thought it took a while to get going, but he had a very good second half," said Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro. 

Audu had only played 156 minutes all season, but he played 39 on Sunday and every one was needed as the Saints' bench was small. 

“You have to remind yourself what your here for every day and you just have to maintain a love and a passion for this game because you're going to go through good times and you're going to go through bad times," he said. "But you have to stay even-keeled and level-headed.”

Audu is playing with a tape on the thumb of his right hand, which he injured about a week ago in practice, when he was falling.

“He's a shooting guard and that's what the whole community needs to see," Brookins said. "I'm happy he came in and shot the ball with confidence.”  

 Even after 39 minutes of game action, Audu didn't look like he had broken a sweat.

“I'm a little tired," said Audu smiling. "Our trainer DT (Dan Taylor) did a good job conditioning us before the season."