Siena, AHN and Maginn squads cruise to victory

SIENA COLLEGE
The Saints continued to roll in the MAAC last weekend, reminding everybody why the Loudonville team was picked to repeat as Conference Champions in 2009, winning two key conference games against Rider (91-81) on Friday and at Manhattan (68-64) on Sunday.

The wins improved their MAAC record to 6-0. With the victory over Rider, Siena also improved its home court winning streak to 12.

Against Rider, junior Edwin Ubiles grabbed center stage, leading all scorers with 19 points, including two highlight reel dunks. The first came when the game was tight in the second half. Ubiles took a lob pass from Ronald Moore and completed the alley-oop to bring the crowd of 6,800 to life. 

That was nothing compared to his second jam, a 360-degree jump to put an exclamation point on the Siena win.

Ubiles again carried the Saints in a close game against Manhattan, scoring 21 points. Ronald Moore was also key, contributing 13 points. 

After leading by 13 with ten minutes left, Manhattan closed the gap to two points with 14 seconds to go. Ubiles then hit two free throws to give the Saints a 68-64 lead, which turned out to be the final score.

With the two victories, the Saints improved their overall record to 12-5. They have not lost at the Times Union Center dating back to the 2007-'08 season, including the 2008 MAAC Tournament. 

This is good news for the Saints, since the 2009 MAAC Tournament will also be held at the Times Union Center in March. 

BOYS' BASKETBALL
In a match-up between two Catholic schools, the Cadets from LaSalle Institute in Troy were no match for the Big Ten powerhouse Bishop Maginn High in Albany. Behind 14 points from Taran Buie and 13 points from junior forward Trahson Burrell, the Griffins defeated LaSalle 87-46 last Friday night.

After leading 34-18 at halftime, Maginn continued to pour it on in the second half, outscoring the Cadets 53-28.

The win improves Maginn to 6-0 in the Big Ten and 7-2 overall. With the loss, LaSalle dropped to 1-5 in the Big Ten and 3-7 overall.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL
The Academy of the Holy Names in Albany kept its perfect season intact last weekend with a 39-35 win over Watervliet. Junior guard Kierra Moore shone for Holy Names with 11 points, leading Holy Names scorers. 

After trailing 18-12 at halftime, Holy Names pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Cannonneers 18-4 and grabbing a 30-22 lead. Watervliet came back in the 4th quarter only to fall short. 

The win improved Holy Names to a 10-0 overall record, and 8-0 record in the Colonial Conference.

Nae White scored 11 to lead the Watervliet Cannonneers
(8-2, 6-2) in scoring.

(1/15/09)