SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Siena could have used a win on Friday night for clear reasons. It’s been a rough go for the Saints thus far, both on and off the court, and while they continue to battle, they’re 3-6 after dropping a tough 82-78 decision to UMass on Friday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase.
It was another close loss for the Saints, who have suffered a few of those to this point. In a five-game losing streak they snapped in their prior game, four were by seven points or less. Friday’s loss was by four, and one where they had the lead on several occasions and showed the kind of fight they have shown through a lot of adversity thus far this season.
“We played a really good game,” said head coach Mitch Buonaguro. “I’m really proud of my guys. We’ve battled all year, and this is a testimony to our team, they’ve battled every second. It’s a tough loss.”
In the first half, Siena put on a clinic offensively with ball movement and getting baskets from it. They ran the offense with good movement without the ball and passes to the open man, and turned it into 12 assists on 16 made field goals as they led 41-35 at halftime. They shot just under 46 percent and scored in the halfcourt and a couple of times with wide-open transition three-pointers. It marked the first time in seven games they led at the half, which by itself was a small measure of progress.
“Our first half play, I thought that was the best team basketball we’ve played all year,” said senior guard Kyle Downey. “That was good to see.”
The second half started similarly, as the Saints opened up an 11-point lead behind more textbook offense. But they couldn’t sustain it, and UMass would rally to take the lead on a couple of occasions. Siena would still get the lead at 70-69 with 3:35 left, but UMass then took the lead for good although the Saints were right there.
With starting point guard Rakeem Brookins out for the season due to a back injury, the Saints have handed the ball to a freshman in Evan Hymes, and he makes this team go. The team’s leading scorer is jet-quick and entered the game with more turnovers than assists on the season, but ended the game with a reversal. The highlight of the night was his block in the first half on UMass guard Jesse Morgan, but he did much more than just one play. He had seven assists and one turnover to go with 16 points, his best assist/turnover game as a college player, and did well helping them break UMass’ press. As Buonaguro pointed out, that’s not bad for a young man who was lightly recruited and committed to the school in June, and he can get better.
“I like working with a kid like him, he’s got a great attitude, he’s always asking me questions about what can I do better every day,” said Downey. “It’s fun to watch him grow and get better every day.”
Hymes is looking in some ways like you would expect a freshman point guard. He’s clearly capable of making great plays and having good stretches, but has also looked ordinary at times as well. On Friday, his numbers were generally good but he shot 4-13 from the field and missed all five attempts from long range.
Siena is playing without two post players who would give them a big boost. The NCAA declared Imoh Silas and Lionel Gomis, both of whom are not originally from the United States (Silas is from Nigeria, Gomis is from Senegal), ineligible for this season and will have three years of eligibility. Both figured to play plenty of minutes right away, with Silas being more ready to possibly start right away. Add them to O.D. Anosike, who is averaging a double-double on the season and had another on Friday night with 22 points and 14 rebounds, and you would have the best frontcourt in the MAAC.
“Anosike the last five games has been phenomenal,” said Buonaguro. “There’s not a big guy in the east playing better than him.”
With the close losses, Bonagouro is naturally concerned about the psyche of the team. They’ve continued to battle, but at some point not having something to show for it on the bottom line can catch up to a team. He knows they could have used a win on Friday night over an improving UMass team to give this team something to feel even more confident about.
Siena leaves Springfield clearly better than when they arrived in spite of the loss. While they would rather have picked up some lessons from a close win, this team has battled and improved all season, and although it’s easy to look forward to next season with this team, they look capable of being a factor in the MAAC despite some very good teams at the top of the conference and their lack of depth.
