Albany, NY – Senior forward
Ameen Tanksley tied for game-high honors with 22 points and added eight rebounds but it was not enough as Hofstra couldn't overcome a 13-point halftime deficit and fell, 81-68, to Siena on Wednesday evening at the Times Union Center.
The loss drops Hofstra's record to 6-3 and ends its three-game win streak. Siena improved to 6-4 with the win.
Senior guard
Juan'ya Green and graduate forward
Denton Koon were also in double figures for Hofstra with 12 points each. Koon added eight rebounds, while Green totaled four assists.
A layup from Green would make it 13-12 in favor of Hofstra nearly five minutes into the game before the Saints scored 12 straight points to lead 24-13 with 11:52 remaining in the opening half after a three-pointer from Marquis Wright.
Hofstra would gradually chip away at the deficit and an 11-2 Pride run that culminated with a layup from Green would make it 26-24 with 6:54 left before intermission. Siena would take a double figure lead into the break, though, as the Saints closed the half on a 12-4 run.
Hofstra roared back to start the second half and closed the gap early to seven, 47-40, following a layup from senior forward
Malik Nichols with 17:46 left in regulation.
The Pride would continue to cut into the Saints lead and a three-pointer from Tanksley with 13:41 to play made it 55-50.
The double digit deficit would prove too much to overcome for Hofstra as Siena would pull away for the 13-point win.
Hofstra did get it back to six points, 69-63, with just over five minutes to play, but that would be as close as the Pride would get down the stretch.
Brett Bisping led the Saints with 22 points and nine rebounds. Wright had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Hofstra will now take a break for final exams and return to the court on Sunday, December 20 when it travels to Long Island rival Stony Brook for a 2 p.m. contest.
NOTES
- Hofstra is 4-2 all-time against Siena. Coach Mihalich is 18-19 all-time in his head coaching career against the Saints.
