Rossiter, Siena Get Win on Senior Night

Ryan Rossiter took the court Sunday night in his final home game as a Siena Saint.  For those who have followed Ryan through his four year career in Loudonville, it was no surprise to see him dump 34 points and become the single season rebounding king at Siena, all on Senior Night.  Fellow senior Clarance Jackson contributed with a much needed 19 point outburst, as Siena rolled to a 81-73 victory over Marist.   Both seniors, Rossiter in particular, received numerous standing ovations throughout the game

Because Canicius was able to knock off Loyola yesterday afternoon, Siena was locked into the 7 seed for the upcoming MAAC Tournament, to be held in Bridgeport, CT.  Siena will take on the 10 seed in Manhattan College on Friday night at 9:30pm.  The game will be broadcast in the Albany Recovery Sports Grill (62 New Scotland Ave.) for any fans who are not traveling to the game.  Saturday, Sunday and Monday games will be televised.

Siena's Ryan Rossiter scores against Marist's during their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball game at the Times Union Center in Albany,N.Y., Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) College Sports

Siena's Clarence Jackson moves the ball past Marist's Candon Rusin during their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball game at the Times Union Center in Albany,N.Y., Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. (Hans Pennink / Special to the Times Union) College Sports

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Siena Handles Maine in ESPN Bracketbuster

Going into halftime trailing by five, it looked like Siena was in for a fifth straight loss.  But wait, the Saints came alive in the second half and closed out strong to snap their four game losing streak and carry some momentum into Friday night's match up with first place Fairfield.  In the win, Clarence Jackson scored 15 of his team-high 17 in the second half, as he led the way for Siena.  The Saints finished with five double digit scorers, including double-double machine, Ryan Rossiter.  Ryan's final stat line looked like this: 14 points, 16 rebounds, and a career high, 6 assists.

Saturday was not only a great day for Siena but for the rest of the MAAC, as MAAC schools finished 9-1 in their Bracketbuster match-ups.  Siena will look to take down MAAC juggernaut Fairfield on Friday night and then will close out the season at home in Sunday night against Marist.  They need both games to get back to .500 in the MAAC are are looking to lock up the 6 seed going into the Tournament to avoid a first round game.

Siena Falls Again, Losing Streak at Four

Siena took the court Wednesday night needing a win to get back to .500 in the MAAC.  St. Peters had beaten them in New Jersey earlier this season so Siena had sweet revenge on their minds.  Instead of rallying the troops, Siena's wheels came off late in the second half and let a seven point lead turn into a 10 point defeat.  In the loss, Rossiter lead Siena with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists, giving him yet another double-double.  With the loss, Siena drops to 7-9 and are tied with Canisius for the all important 6 seed, to avoid the play-in round game in the MAAC Tournament.

After the game, Coach Mitch seemed very disappointed in the way the game ended but did point out that all but 6 games this season have been decided by 10 points or less.  Siena has the talent to be in each game but needs to develop some confidence down the stretch.  Confidence will begin to bloom as soon as Siena is able to close out a few games in a row without relinquishing a lead!  Coach Mitch believes there is still time to right the ship before the MAAC Tournament.  Siena's remaining regular season games include Maine at home, Fairfield on the road and concludes with Marist at home.

From left, Siena's Rakeem Brookins is defended by Saint Peter's Ryan Bacon as he goes up for a layup during a basketball game at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

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Siena Drops Another MAAC Game: To Rider This Time

Siena fell to Rider last night at the Times Union Center in Albany by a final score of 68-60.  Siena had beaten Rider in their first matchup this year down in New Jersey but this was not the case last night.  Siena's Ryan Rossiter scored a game high 26 points and pulled down 15 rebounds for yet another double-double performance.


”The frustration I have is, I feel bad for Ryan Rossiter,” Buonaguro concluded. “That’s who I feel bad for. The way he plays for 39 minutes, he deserves better and that’s what I’m most upset about. Not the loss, the frustration for Ryan Rossiter, who’s a great player. Not a good player. A great player.”

(Siena's Ryan Rossite (22), defends Rider's Justin Robinson near the end of the second half of Siena's 68-60 loss to Rider on Monday night at Times Union Center in Albany. ( Philip Kamrass / Times Union ))

(Siena's Ryan Rossiter is defended by Rider's Danny Stewart, left, and Jonathon Thompson, right, during the second half of Siena's 68-60 loss at Times Union Center in Albany on Monday night. ( Philip Kamrass / Times Union ))

(Siena head coach Mitch Buonaguro saw his team lose 68-60 to Rider on Monday night at Times Union Center in Albany. ( Philip Kamrass / Times Union ))

More pictures from Monday night's loss can be found here on the Times Union website.