Men's College Basketball

Siena College 79, Rider University 72

ALBANY, NY— Despite the snowstorm Punxsutawney Phil somehow managed to see his shadow Monday morning, meaning we will have six more weeks of winter.

Rider fans are hoping that despite Monday night's game, also in a snowstorm, they could also have six more weeks of basketball, which brings us into mid-March and postseason play.

Rider's seven-game road-game winning streak came to an end with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference loss at snowy Siena Monday night.

“We just didn't play well,” said Rider head coach Kevin Baggett, who saw Rider's two-game winning streak come to an end.  Rider came into the game having won four of its last five, 10 of its last 12 and 12 of its last 15 games.  “We didn't have it today.”

The Broncs entered the game ranked third in the MAAC in defense but Siena shot 70 percent (16 for 23) in the second half.

“We had a lot of breakdowns defensively,” Baggett said. “As a team we were poor defensively. It all starts at the defensive end and tonight we did not do a good enough job on the defensive end.”

Siena (9-12, 6-6 MAAC) used a 13-4 run, seven points by senior guard Rob Poole, to take a 65-54 lead with 5:43 left to play. Poole finished with a game-high 27 points.

“We knew Poole was a really good player,” Baggett said. “He broke down our defense.”

Siena out-scored Rider 12-2 to start the second half, five points by freshman guard Jimmy Paige, to take 44-38 lead. Paige finished with eight points.

Rider (14-9, 8-4 MAAC), which entered the game 8-3 in away games, made eight of its first 12 shots while Siena made just one of its first 12 as the Broncs jumped out to a 20-4 lead after eight minutes of play.

“A big lead like that always scares a coach,” Baggett said, “because guys start to take their foot off the gas.”

Rider junior Zedric Sadler (Detroit, Mich./Cody) made a three-point field goal at the buzzer to give the Broncs a 34-32 lead at the half. Sadler finished with 12 points.

Siena went on a 26-4 run, eight points by Marquis Wright, to take a 30-24 lead with 3:40 left in the first half. Wright finished with 17 points.

For the Broncs, sophomore Jimmie Taylor (Branford, Fla./Suwannee) compiled 15 points and nine rebounds, while senior Matt Lopez (Erial, NJ/Washington Twp.) compiled his sixth 'double-double' with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes before fouling out.

Rider sophomore Xavier Lundy (Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro) added 10 points.

Rider returns home to host Fairfield on ESPN3 Thursday at 8pm.

The Broncs have won their last three games on ESPN3. 

Rider fans are hoping that trend keeps happening, over and over, like it is Groundhog day.

-ru-