Siena's strong performance on the road led to a convincing 74-59 win over Manhattan at Draddy Gymnasium. The Saints, led by Brendan Coyle's impressive double-double, never trailed in the game and built a significant lead in the first half. Coyle's 23 points and 10 rebounds were the highlight of the evening, as he dominated the paint and controlled the tempo of the game.
Manhattan's Terrance Jones tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 17 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Siena's balanced attack. The Saints' Justice Shoats added 16 points and 5 assists, while Gavin Doty chipped in with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Siena's offense was clicking on all cylinders, as they shot efficiently and moved the ball effectively.
The game was essentially decided in the first half, as Siena built a 17-point lead by halftime, 42-25. Manhattan tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but Siena's defense was solid, holding the Jaspers to just 34 points in the final 20 minutes. Quron Elliott's 15 points and Anthony Isaac's 9 points and 8 rebounds were notable efforts for Manhattan, but they couldn't overcome the deficit.
The win is a significant one for Siena, as it improves their record to 13-7 and keeps them in the hunt for a strong postseason resume. The Saints' net ranking of 171 will likely get a boost from this win, especially considering it came on the road. For Manhattan, the loss drops them to 8-14, and their net ranking of 330 will likely suffer as a result.
This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, which means it was a relatively low-stakes matchup. However, the win is still an important one for Siena, as it shows they can take care of business on the road against a lesser opponent. The Saints want to build on this momentum as they continue their season, while Manhattan will try to regroup and find a way to get back on track.
In terms of tournament implications, this win doesn't do much to boost Siena's chances, but it does help to solidify their position as a potential bubble team. A loss would have been damaging to their resume, so the win is a relief in that sense. For Manhattan, the loss is just another setback in a season that has been marked by struggles. The Jaspers must find a way to win more games like this if they want to have any chance at a postseason berth.
Overall, Siena's dominant performance was the story of the night, and Brendan Coyle's double-double was the key to their success. The Saints want to keep rolling as they continue their season, while Manhattan will try to pick up the pieces and move forward. The win is a nice boost to Siena's resume, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this momentum in the coming weeks.