Siena's trip to Knott Arena was a successful one, as they handed Mount St. Mary's a 17-point defeat, winning 67-50. The Saints' victory was fueled by a strong performance from Justice Shoats, who led all scorers with 18 points and added 5 rebounds to his stat line. Shoats' impressive outing was complemented by Francis Folefac's 15 points and Gavin Doty's 10 points and 7 rebounds, as Siena's balanced attack proved too much for the Mountaineers to handle.
Mount St. Mary's, led by Trey Deveaux's 12 points, struggled to find their rhythm on offense, scoring just 25 points in each half. Despite a solid effort from Luke McEldon, who chipped in with 8 points and 6 rebounds, and Abdou Khadre Kébé, who added 8 points and 5 rebounds, the Mountaineers were unable to mount a significant challenge to Siena's lead. The Saints' advantage was built in the first half, as they took a 29-25 lead into the break, and they never looked back, outscoring Mount St. Mary's 38-25 in the second half.
The game unfolded with Siena taking control from the outset, using their athleticism and depth to wear down the Mountaineers. As the contest progressed, it became clear that Siena's superior talent and cohesion would be too much for Mount St. Mary's to overcome. The Saints' victory was a reflection of their strength and resilience, as they improved their record to 13-7 and boosted their tournament resume with a Quad 4 win.
This result will have implications for both teams' tournament chances, as Siena continues to build a strong case for a postseason berth. With a current net ranking of 171, the Saints are well-positioned to make a push for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. On the other hand, Mount St. Mary's, with a net ranking of 298, faces an uphill battle to revive their tournament hopes. This loss, classified as a Quad 4 defeat, will not help the Mountaineers' cause, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a late-season surge.
In the end, Siena's dominant performance and impressive road win will be a significant boost to their tournament resume. As the Saints continue to navigate their schedule, they want to build on this momentum and make a strong push for a postseason spot. With their Quad 4 win over Mount St. Mary's, Siena has taken a crucial step towards solidifying their position as a tournament contender, and they will aim to carry this momentum forward in their upcoming games.