Final: Siena 65, Navy 56

PHOTOGRAPHER: Mike MacAdam

ALBANY — Kyle Downey scored 19 points, and Siena overcame injuries and foul trouble to beat Navy, in their season opener in front of 5,896 at the Times Union Center on Wednesday night.

After Siena took a 47-34 lead midway through the second half, Navy (2-1) cut it to 60-56 with 49.7 seconds left, but the Saints made five of six free throws down the stretch.

Siena, already down to eoight scholarship players, lost starting forward Owen Wignot to a head injury early in the first half, shortly after junior forward OD Anosike was saddled with his second foul.

The Saints relied heavily on four freshmen and also got a strong contribution from senior center Brandon Walters, who had 12 points and seven rebounds.

Freshman point guard Evan Hymes scored 10 points before leaving for good with 13 minutes left in the game because of leg cramps.

“It was an incredible win from that standpoint,” Downey said.

Hymes should be OK for Saturday’s game at Mount St. Mary’s, but Wignot is questionable.

J.J. Avila led Navy with 19 points, and Siena held leading scorer Jordan Sugars to eight points on 2-for-8 shooting.