Category: Siena

Siena 84, Quinnipiac 75: Bobcats Rebounding Kings No More

It was a bit disquieting watching seemingly helpless Quinnipiac be destroyed on the boards Monday against Siena in an 84-75 loss, almost like an empire whose time had finally faded away. The Bobcats went 10 straight seasons among the top 10 offensive rebounding teams in the nation (nine of them in the top 5) leading into 2016-17, and was sixth on the defensive glass as late as two years ago.

Quinnipiac was renown as a rebounding capital of college basketball America, it led its media notes, it was their signature, their claim to fame. So a 52-27 rebounding advantage for an opponent that included 22 offensive boards (55.0%) was difficult to look at in the boxscore.

However, our dear numbers told us that Quinnipiac’s rebounding demise didn’t exactly start this evening. While they did lead the MAAC in offensive rebounding, it was barely (35.5 to 35.3%) ahead of Siena, and the Bobcats (8-14, 5-7) are a fairly dreadful 294th on the defensive boards (67.5%). The Saints are full of veterans, and Lavon Long (16 total rebounds), Brett Bisping (14 total), and Marquis Wright (yes, the point guard) had five offensive rebounds each in the contest.

Continue reading “Siena 84, Quinnipiac 75: Bobcats Rebounding Kings No More” →

Siena 63, Fairfield 54: No Clareth, But Defense Real Story

Just six weeks ago, Nico Clareth almost single-handedly buried Fairfield at the Times Union Center, leading a 27-4 first-half run, and then when the Stags had somewhat amazingly come all the way back to tie it, hit a few more big shots to make sure Siena held on 80-73.

In all, the talented Clareth finished with a career-high 33 points, and it seemed like both the sophomore who was a MAAC All-Rookie selection a year ago and the team had turned a corner after a tough start.

Then Siena lost six of its next seven games, and Clareth scored just 24 in the last three.

After that, Jimmy Patsos played him just 17 minutes against Saint Peter’s, but the Saints won. Then, he was in and out quickly against Quinnipiac and Siena won again. Soon after, Clareth decided to take a leave of absence from the team, just in time for the return game with Fairfield at Webster Bank Arena.

Continue reading “Siena 63, Fairfield 54: No Clareth, But Defense Real Story” →

Three Thoughts: Siena 80, Fairfield 73

After a Tyler Nelson layup cut Siena’s lead to 9-8 over Fairfield in its MAAC opener Saturday night, the Saints showed what they are capable of in the next five minutes: Nico Clareth was drilling three-pointers, Marquis Wright was finding Javion Ogunyemi for dunks, Lavon Long slashed to the rim on the next possession, when the Stags played off Wright he hit a jumper.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Brett Bisping was getting steals and rebounds, Fairfield’s guards could not get anywhere near the paint against Wright and Long, and by the time everyone looked up, Siena led 27-8 and was well on its way to a comfortable victory.

Continue reading “Three Thoughts: Siena 80, Fairfield 73” →

Three Thoughts About Albany and Siena After the Albany Cup

Albany defeated Siena 81-72 at SEFCU Arena on Sunday night, taking back the Albany Cup. The Saints fell behind by 18 at halftime, and then mounted a furious second half scoring assault that fell just a bit short. Foul trouble and defense bedeviled Siena, while Albany improved to 4-2 behind David Nichols’ 29 points and Joe Cremo’s 20. Continue reading “Three Thoughts About Albany and Siena After the Albany Cup” →

About Last Night: Nov. 20, 2016

The road was a tough place to be for most of the local teams on Sunday. Hopefully Feast Week can give every team some much needed home cooking. Continue reading “About Last Night: Nov. 20, 2016” →