Marist Red Foxes Come Back for Clutch Win

By Mike Ferraro

ALBANY – The Marist men’s basketball team earned a 62-53 win at Siena on Friday night in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at MVP Arena.

The Red Foxes trailed by as much as 10 early in the second half, but they earned their fourth straight win as they completed the comeback.

After Siena’s Nick Hopkins opened the scoring with a three-pointer, Marist countered with a 12-2 run, as the Red Foxes took a six-point lead. Jao Ituka had eight points in the Red Foxes’ run.

The Saints answered the Red Foxes’ run shortly afterward with a 12-1 run of their own, which gave Siena a 20-15 lead at the 6:45 mark.

A three-pointer by Matt Herasme, followed by two free throws from Samkelo Cele, tied the game at 20 at the 5:50 mark.

Siena outscored Marist 14-7 over the final 5:31 of the half, and took a 34-27 lead to the locker room.

A three-pointer by Nick Hopkins opened the second-half scoring, and gave Siena a game-high lead of 10.

The Red Foxes chipped away at the Saints’ lead, and went in front thanks to a 9-0 run as Siena was held scoreless for 5:19. Ricardo Wright had seven of Marist’s nine points in the run.

Marist closed out the game by outscoring Siena 19-5 over the final 10:27.

Marist is 12-13 overall and 7-9 in the MAAC.