Local teams win and, in top play, lose

Saints top Danes, Women fall in volleyball
It was a big weekend for Siena College athletics, as the men's basketball and women's volleyball teams both took part in big contests. 

For the women, a first round match-up against eighth-ranked California in the first round of the NCAA Tournament was a tough task to conquer. Making their fourth straight NCAA appearance, Siena was swept in three sets by the West Coast powerhouse: 25-18, 25-10, 25-20. The Saints finished their season 20-13 and despite being 0-4 in their past four NCAA appearances, the Saints still boast winning the MAAC title four consecutive years.

For the men, it was a Saturday night match-up with their cross-town rivals at the University at Albany. 

The Saints cruised early on before allowing the Great Danes to cut a 15 point Siena lead to 5 with four minutes to play. But behind strong play from junior forward Edwin Ubiles (23 points, 6 rebounds) and junior point guard Ronald Moore (17 points, 7 assists), the Saints held on to win 71-64. It is Siena's fourth consecutive victory against UAlbany, and their seventh win in eight tries since the series began in 2001.

CBA, LaSalle, win openers; Maginn impressive
The Big 10 opened the 2008-09 basketball season last week, and it was a good start for three of the Catholic schools in the conference.

CBA held off Schenectady to pull off a 53-48 victory. Kameron Ritter (10), Billy Creighton (12), Galal Cancer (10), and Andrew Stire (11) all finished in double figures, as the Brothers allowed the Patriots to come back from a 3-point deficit, before pulling away in the final minutes.

LaSalle took care of Bishop Gibbons 72-61. The Golden Knights kept the game close for most of the game, but the Cadets' Mason Horne was too much to handle, scoring 22 points to lead LaSalle to victory.

Meanwhile, the 2007-08 State Champions at Bishop Maginn opened their title defense with an impressive showing against Catholic Central. The official score and statistics were not called in, but the Griffins held a significant lead at halftime and into the third quarter.

St. Rose Women drop in Final Four 
Saint Rose, ranked 21st, defeated number 17 Mercyhurst College, 3-2, on Nov. 23, to advance to their first Final Four in school history (see photos on page 17). The women took on the University of West Florida on Dec. 4, with a chance to advance to the National Championship. However, it was not meant to be as the Golden Knights fell to the undefeated Argonauts 4-0. 

Saint Rose wound up only being out shot 17-11 and only had one less corner kick than West Florida (4-3). Saint Rose goalie Shannon Murphy had one more save (5) than West Florida goalie Courtney Jones (4). 

Saint Rose finished their season with a record of 20-4-2.

(12/11/08)