Siena sophomore Rakeem Brookins made a big steal to seal a 66-63 victory over Manhattan on Friday evening.



Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro talks following the game.

Mike McMahon - The Record

ALBANY - There's no hiding that Siena has struggled under coach Mitch Buonaguro, in terms of record.

Even after the Saints 66-63 victory over Manhattan on Friday evening, the team is just 33-51 in Buonaguro's three seasons as head coach of the Saints. 

Don't count Jaspers coach Steve Masiello among those who think Buonaguro hasn't done a good job.

“I respect Mitch so much," Masiello said following the game. "I think he's done a terrific job with his team. He's had some tough things happen this year, little injuries. He's managed his ball club as well as anyone in this conference. His kids are in every game. They compete, they're a class act and I'm just really impressed by the way he has his team playing.”

Siena has won three of its last four home and four of its last seven overall and Masiello says Siena is playing as well as anyone in the conference.

“I think Mitch Buonaguro's doing a terrific job with his team. I thought they were very well-prepared.”

Buonaguro's record hasn't been great, but he's knocked off the Jaspers five of the eight times, including twice in the postseason. 

“I thought they outplayed us tonight,” said Masiello.

Masiello's team did a good job slowing down O.D. Anosike, the Saints' leading scorer and rebounder on Friday, but it was the other guys who beat them.

“Their role players beat us and that's the sign of a good coach and that's the sign of a team that's growing," said Masiello.

He ended his press conference by saying, “You guys have a good one in Mitch.”

ALBANY - This was the type of game that Siena couldn't quite come out on top in, a few months back.

There's no debating this Saints (4-7, 6-16) team is playing better and they picked up another crucial league win on Friday night.

Rakeem Brookins scored 18 points, Rob Poole posted his first career double-double and Trenity Burdine chipped in 14 points and nine rebounds for Siena.

The Jaspers (4-7, 6-15) were led by Michael Alvarado, who scored 16, while Rhamel Brown added 13.

ALBANY - It was a pretty even half of basketball.

Siena leads because of an Rob Poole 3-pointer with four seconds to play in the first half. Evan Hymes leads the way with eight points and three assists, but also has three turnovers.

Trenity Burdine played well, scoring four points and grabbing five rebounds for the Saints, who shot 41.7 percent (10-24) from the field.

It was a balanced effort for Manhattan, but the Jaspers were led on the scoreboard by Shane Richards, who hit back-to-back 3-pointers and has six points. Eight different players have scored for Manhattan.

This game should come right down to the end.

UAlbany junior guard Mike Black talks about the team's 89-79 loss to Manhattan in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com tournament.

ALBANY - The University at Albany season has come to an end.

The Great Danes finish 19-15, after a 89-79 loss to Manhattan, in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com tournament.

George Beamon scored a season-high 34 points for the Jaspers, who advance to the weekend.

Jacob Iati scored a team-high 23 points for the Great Danes, in what likely is his last game.

I'll have more on the team as they look forward to next year on the blog and in the paper in the next few days.

ALBANY - UAlbany took its biggest lead, right before Manhattan closed the half on a huge run.

The Great Danes went up 28-20, on basket from Gerardo Suero, but the Jaspers finished the half on a 17-2 run to take their biggest lead into intermission.

George Beamon leads Manhattan with 13 points, while Jacob Iati has a game-high 14 for UAlbany.

Suero has been quiet, but he had seven points. He was slowed because of an early charge call on him. Mike Black had two charges called on him in the first half.

The Jaspers were much more physical and if they continue that trend, they will win this game.

ALBANY - The CollegeInsider.com tournament is about 30 minutes to tip from SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany will host Manhattan, as both teams look to finish the season on a strong note.

The Great Danes will play without Logan Aronhalt, who is back home, after undergoing knee surgery.

UAlbany is playing in its first postseason since the 2007 NCAA tournament. Manhattan is playing in its first postseason 2005 NIT.

Here is the final play of regulation, when Kidani Brutus' short jumper rolls around and comes off the rim.



Here is freshman Rob Poole talking about the victory.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Well, we've almost seen it all in the first half of this Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference quarterfinal.

There was nearly a brawl, Evan Hymes came off the bench, in hero-like fashion and there have been 12 3-pointer, most from Manhattan.

Thanks to big halves from Brandon Walters and Rob Poole, who started in place of Hymes, the Saints hold a narrow lead. Walters has 11 points, five rebounds and four blocks, while Poole Poole has a team-high 12 points.

Siena shot 55.6 percent (15-27) from the floor in the first half. 

George Beamon leads the Jaspers with 15 points and he's 5-for-5 from downtown.

OD Anosike and Torgrim Sommerfeldt were both assessed technical fouls, with six minutes to play and Anosike spent the final six minutes on the bench, with three fouls. 

Manhattan coach Steve Masiello came all the way out onto the court to rein in his guys, as words were exchanged and it almost spilled over.

Video of the final play of Siena's 34-33 quarterfinal victory over Manhattan.



Junior Lily Grenci talks abuout the victory. Siena plays Fairfield, at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday morning.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - For the third straight season, Siena wins the lowest scoring MAAC tournament game, earning a 34-33 upset victory over Manhattan.

The Saints play No. 2 seed Fairfield, at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday morning.

Siena didn't register a field goal in the final 13:36, when senior Maja Gerlyng knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Saints up 32-21.

The Jaspers scored the game's final 12 points, but Maggie Blair's 3-point attempt came up short and the clock ran out.

Siena was led by Clara Sole Anglada, who scored a game-high 11 points and Kanika Cummings added eight points. All-MAAC first team selection Lily Grenci finished with six points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Siena defeated Rider 45-25, in a first round game, in 2010. The Saints then defeated Fairfield 36-33, last season, in the quarterfinals.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The first half wasn't the greatest played, but I'm sure Gina Castelli won't mind because her team is up by seven points. 

Kanika Cummings led the way, with eight points off the bench for Siena. Clara Sole Anglada added seven.

Manhattan was led by Lindsey Loutsenhizer, who has six points at the break. The Jaspers shot just 26 percent (6-23) from the field. 

There was a total of 25 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

The two teams went without a field goal for 8:58, before Lily Grenci's layup, which made it 20-11, with 2:28 to play.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Just about 10 minutes to tip for Siena's women's squad, as they take on Manhattan, in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Confefence quarterfinals.

Follow along here and on twitter @AndrewSantillo for all of the updates.

Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro talks about his team's 70-64 victory over Manhattan on Tuesday.

ALBANY - Nothing has come easy for the Siena men's basketball team this season.

The Saints took advantage of everything that was free in Tuesday's 70-64 victory over Manhattan.

Siena shot 25-for-30 (83.3%) from the free throw line and 22-for-24 (91.7%) in the second half, as they held on for the win.

Rob Poole made 10 free throws (10-13) and OD Anosike knocked down eight (8-9) on the night.

"Coach has been harping on it all year," Anosike said. "Sometimes when you struggle from the outside, you have to find ways to manufacture points, whether it be offensive rebounds or free throws."

Anosike is just a 55 percent (81-146) shooter from the stripe, but he has been much better lately.

In the last four games, Anosike is 20-for-25 (80%) from the free throw line. 

In Tuesday's game, it seemed like Anosike was using his legs more and springing backwards as he released the ball.

"Maybe the arc is the key," he said. "I think I was shooting the ball higher today, getting it over the front rim."

Anosike also says that he's been shooting the ball better as he has maintained confidence in his shot.

"I'm just trying to stay confident," he said. "I seem to shoot it better when I have more confidence."

Anosike knows that it will continue to be important that Siena knock down the free throws on a consistent basis. 

"It's just really important that we step up and knock down free throws because we're going to need the points, especially down the stretch," he said.

ALBANY - Another one bites the dust.

The Siena men's basketball team dropped another of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's top teams on Tuesday evening, taking down Manhattan 70-64, in front of 5,812 fans.

The Saints (7-9, 12-14) have beaten four of the league's top five teams, at home this season.

Siena was led by freshman point guard Evan Hymes, who finished with a game-high 21 points and seven assists.

The Saints led for the game's final 35 minutes, taking a lead as big as 11, with 2:19 to play.

Kyle Downey added 18 points, OD Anosike chipped in 14 and Rob Poole made 10 free throws.

Siena shot 25-for-30 (83.3%) from the free throw line and had only 14 turnovers. In the earlier matchup, the Saints committed a season-high 22 turnovers.

The Jaspers (11-5, 18-10) were led by George Beamon, who finished with 16 points, while Emmy Andujar added 11.

Manhattan played the final 26 minutes without sophomore Michael Alvarado, who was hit in the eye and didn't return to the court for the second half.

Siena travels to Long Island, to take on Hofstra, on Saturday, at 4 p.m., in a BracketBusters game.

ALBANY - Siena is playing like a team inspired in the first half. 

Evan Hymes is doing it all, leading the way with 15 points, four assists, three steals and one rebound in the first 20 minutes. The freshman has all but sewed up the conference's rookie of the year award, in my eyes.

After a slow start from both teams, Siena gathered the lead and extended it to as many as nine, 24-15.

Manhattan had 11 turnovers in the first half and didn't look like a team that came into play as the third place team in the standings. 

OD Anosike scored six points and grabbed five rebounds in the first half.

Rhamel Brown leads the way for the Jaspers with six points.

This should be an exciting second half.

Mike McMahon/The Record

Siena has a big game this evening at home, against Manhattan.

The Saints are trying to remain in the top six in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and with just three league games remaining, a win tonight would be huge.

The Jaspers are much improved from years past, as they have 11 conference wins and handed the Saints one of their most lopsided losses, 72-53, earlier this season, in Riverdale.

Siena committed a season-high 22 turnovers in the meeting earlier this season, so ball security will be a huge key to tonight's game.

MANHATTAN AT SIENA

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Times Union Center (8,444), Albany
Radio: TALK 1300-AM (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter)
2011-12 Records: Manhattan (11-4, 18-9) Siena (6-9, 11-14)
Last Meeting: Manhattan 72, Siena 53, at Draddy Gym, Riverdale, on Jan. 14, 2012 — Manhattan leads the all-time series 47-36

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
MANHATTAN

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
31, Michael Alvarado, G, So., 6-2, 8.7

5, Mohamed Koita, G, Jr., 6-4, 2.0

24, George Beamon, G/F, Jr., 6-4, 17.8

13, Emmy Andujar, F, Fr., 6-5, 8.2

22, Roberto Colonette, F, Sr., 6-7, 6.3

SIENA

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
5, Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 14.0
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 12.6
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-8, 6.2
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 14.8
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.6

MAAC STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Iona, 12-3, 20-6
Loyola (Md), 12-3, 19-6

Manhattan, 11-4, 18-9
Farifield, 10-4, 15-10
Rider, 8-7, 11-16
Siena, 6-9, 11-14
Niagara, 6-9, 11-16
Marist, 4-10, 9-16

Saint Peter’s, 4-11, 5-21
Canisius, 1-14, 4-21

Today’s Games

Manhattan at Siena, 7 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games

Canisius at Niagara, 7 p.m.

Loyola (Md.) at Marist, 7 p.m.

Iona at Rider, 7 p.m.

Saint Peter's at Fairfield, 7:30 p.m.

J.S. Carras/The Record

As Siena continued to pile up victories at home, they've climbed the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings.

The Saints enter Saturday's in a tie for fifth place and riding a three-game conference winning streak.

They'll have their hands full tonight, with a Manhattan team that just handed Iona its first conference loss of the year.

With a quick turnaround for both teams, I'd expect it will be a close game and the team that with the most energy will come out with a victory.

Junior forward OD Anosike entered Friday as the nation's leading rebounder and his streak of 12 consecutive double-doubles is the longest MAAC run since Fairfield's Darren Phillip ended the 1999-2000 season with 19 straight double-doubles.

SIENA AT MANHATTAN

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Draddy Gym (2.500), Riverdale
Radio: TALK — AM 1300 (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter)
2011-12 Records: Siena (3-3, 8-8) Manhattan (4-2, 11-7)
Last Meeting: Siena 68, Manhattan 66, OT, at Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn., in MAAC Tournament, on March 5, 2011 — Manhattan leads the all-time series 46-36

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
SIENA

No, Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg.
5, Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 15.3
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 13.3
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-6, 5.1
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 14.7
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.1 

MANHATTAN

No, Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg.
31, Michael Alvarado, G, So., 6-2, 7.8 
5, Mohamed Koita, G, Jr., 6-4, 2.2 
24, George Beamon, G/F, Jr., 6-4, 16.7 
13, Emmy Andujar, F, Fr., 6-5, 9.2 
22, Roberto Colonette, F, Sr., 6-7, 6.1

MAAC STANDINGS

Team, Conference, Overall
Iona, 5-1, 13-4
Loyola (MD), 5-1, 12-4
Manhattan, 4-2, 11-7
Siena, 3-3, 8-8
Fairfield, 3-3, 8-9
Rider, 3-3, 6-12
Marist, 2-4, 7-10
Niagara, 2-4, 7-11
St. Peter’s, 2-4, 3-14
Canisius, 1-5, 4-12

Friday’s Games

Canisius 67, Marist 57
Niagara 85, St. Peter's 73
Loyola (MD) 66, Fairfield 63

Today’s Games

Siena at Manhattan, 7 p.m.