Griffins slam door on Saints

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Marquis Wright and Rob Poole of Siena go after the loose ball in front of Jan Grzelinski of Canisius at the Times Union Center in Albany Thursday, February 19, 2015.

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Despite an unexpected breakout performance from junior Ryan Oliver, Siena came up just short in their first overtime game of the season.

Siena fell behind early, but never gave up, forcing the extra session. But Canisius scored the final six points of the game, including four by Kassius Robertson, to pull away for a 69-63 victory Thursday night before 6,976 fans at Times Union Center.

Oliver, who was averaging less than six points per game, scored a career-high 23 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the floor, and 4-for-6 from three-point range. He scored 10 straight points early in the second half to carry the Saints to a 39-35 lead, and, along with Javion Ogunyemi, carried the Saints, who matched every

Canisius basket down the stretch in regulation.

Robertson buried a three-pointer with 4:40 left for a 54-52 Canisius lead, but Oliver hit a 17-footer, stole the ball on the other end and then nailed a three-pointer with a hand in his face to push the Saints on top, 57-54.

But Jeremiah Williams canned a three-pointer with 1:08 left to tie it up.

Lavon Long, who didn’t start because he was eight minutes late for the shoot-around, had his shot blocked with 40 seconds remaining in regulation. Zach Lewis then misfired on a trey with five seconds left.

The Saints had a chance to win the game in regulation, but the inbound pass was deflected. Ogunyemi caught it and heaved a desperation, halfcourt shot that was well short at the buzzer.

In overtime, Long scored his only basket of the game with 2:29 left to give Siena a 63-61 lead, but the Golden Griffins scored the next eight points. Ogunymi missed a short jumper, Rob Poole failed to make two three-pointers and Marquis Wright missed a shot in the lane for Siena.

“That was a great basketball game,” said Siena head coach Jimmy Patsos. “We got some great performances on both ends. Here’s the thing. Of course, it’s about winning, but it’s also about how you play. We had a great effort tonight.”

Patsos said Oliver proved he still belonged in the playing rotation, despite some recent struggles.

“Ryan was fighting for his job. That was a statement game for him,” said Patsos. “There is no quit in Ryan.”

Patsos also was pleased with the play of Ogunyemi, who added 12 points and three blocked shots.

“Javion has played well all year. He’s the least of my worries,” Patsos said.

“We did everything we could tonight. I’m happy we competed.”

Oliver said he was ready to do his part.

“My teammates have been supporting me and encouraging me,” he said. “I was open early. I made a couple of shots, and they kept falling. It’s frustrating, though, because every time we made a shot, Canisius made a three-pointer or got a second-chance opportunity.”

“That was one frustrating game,” added Ogunyemi. “We could have won that game. We just didn’t execute defensively on a couple of possessions, and that really hurt us.”

The Saints drop to 7-10 in the MAAC and 10-16 overall. They look like they won’t earn a bye and will end up playing in the first round of the MAAC tournament. On Saturday, they host Manhattan on senior night, and they finish up with two road games before hosting the MAAC tourney March 5-9.

Williams led Canisius (9-8, 14-12) with 18 points, including 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. The Golden Griffins were 7-for-17 from three-point range. Siena only got to the line nine times, but the Saints made all nine free throws.

“That was a great team win for us,” said Canisius head coach Jim Baron. “We defended tonight. We were very fortunate to win.”

CANISIUS (69)

Heath 6-12 2-2 14, Bleeker 5-7 2-3 12, Lewis 2-11 2-2 6, Williams 6-10 1-2 18, Reynolds 2-2 1-2 5, Robertson 3-3 4-4 12, Ryan 1-2 0-0 2, Grzelinski 0-0 0-0 0, Weir 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 25-48 12-15 69.

SIENA (63)

Ogunyemi 5-9 2-2 12, Paige 1-1 0-0 2, Wright 6-12 0-0 12, Hymes 1-5 0-0 2, Pole 2-11 0-0 6, Brandwijk 1-1 2-2 4, Oliver 7-10 5-5 23, Long 1-4 0-0 2. Totals: 24-53 9-9 63.

Halftime: Canisius 29, Siena 29. Three-point goals: Canisius 7-17 (Bleeker 0-1, Lewis 0-7, Wiliams 5-6, Robertson 2-2, Weir 0-1); Siena 6-15 (Wright 0-1 Hymes 0-2, Poole 2-6, Oliver 4-6). Rebounds: Canisius 27 (Heath 9), Siena 26 (Oliver 5). Assists: Canisius 15 (Heath 3, Bleeker 3 Reynolds 3), Siena 16 (Wright 8). Total fouls: Canisius 14, Siena 17. Officials: Jeff Anderson, DJ Carstensen, Ken Clark. Attendance: 6,976.