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Siena Saint’s Post 20 Assist In Win Over Sacred Heart

Siena Saint’s Post 20 Assist In Win Over Sacred Heart
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Digital Recap

Story By Azarr Johnson

For Thursday night’s match up it was between two MAAC teams that were in need of a win. Sacred Heart was looking to rebound from their previous one point loss to Merrimack 66-65. While also looking to reach .500 in the conference they were 2-3. The Saints were also looking for similar results. Siena was looking to rebound from a two game losing streak. Also from a 19 point loss to top seeded Quinnipiac (72-53). 

Photo Gallery | Siena Saints vs SHU 10

When the game started Sacred Heart looked, and played like the better team. As Siena Head Coach Gerry Mcnamera stated they do not look or play like a 6-9 team. The Pioneers started off hot. With a ten point lead (16-6), forcing the Saints to call a timeout around the 13:43 mark and regroup. Regrouping, the Saints did as they responded with a 6-2 run. Cutting the lead from 10 to 6 (18-12) forcing the Pioneers to call a timeout and make adjustments. 

For most of the first half it was a fight, every time Sacred Heart was looking like they were going to pull away Siena would make a run. What was keeping the Pioneers with a tight grip on the lead was the play of Tanner Thomas. Who led the team with 15, and they were also shooting 59% from the field and 50% from the three point line. 

The only thing keeping the Saints in the game was the collective effort.  All players had single digit points with the exception of Brandon Coyle who had eleven. When the second half started Siena had clearly made adjustments. The Saints cut the lead to 49-44. Then by the 16:37 mark they had cut the lead to two (51-49). The Saints would soon tie the game at 51 points. This caused Sacred Heart to call a timeout and regroup and it worked. Once play resumed Sacred Heart scored six straight points, and took the lead back in the game 57-51. This lead would not last long. Around the 11:21 mark the Saints ended up tying the game at 61. After the Saints took the lead they never looked back. What was the dagger for the Pioneers was guard Marcus Freeman three point shots he hit in the latter part of the half.

 

Photo Gallery | Siena Saints vs SHU 12

Freeman was asked in the post game presser what made him feel comfortable shooting. Marcus Freeman stated that “it was confidence from his teammates that made him feel like he could make those shots” in the second half . Sacred Heart did call timeouts in the second half to attempt to make adjustments, but it did not work. Sacred Heart shot poorly from the three point field, and never got back close after Freeman three point shots. 

After the game Coach McNamera stated how important this was for the team after the outcome from the Quinnipiac game. This victory would help the Saints as they increased their win total to eight and back to .500 in the conference at 3-3. 

Photo Gallery

Team Statistics

Game StatsSHSiena
FG%.500.485
3FG%.333.414
FT%.667.895
RB3231
TO1510
STL48
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