By Paul Gotham
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canisius won the opening tap and just about everything else after that.
Phil Valenti led three in double figures as the Golden Griffins downed a depleted Siena Saints squad, 83-49 in MAAC action at the Koessler Athletic Center, Friday night.
Valenti netted 22 on six-for-nine shooting from the floor and 10-for-10 from the free throw line. The redshirt sophomore also matched a career high with five assists.
Leading by 35-22 at halftime, Valenti scored eight as Canisius extended its advantage to 20 at 44-24.
“First four minutes, you got to stay aggressive,” Valenti said. “You got to stay on them. Every halftime we say it’s zero to zero. We got to come out with a new energy, a new demeanor.”
Canisius didn’t look back.
Jamal Reynolds tapped in Jermaine Crumpton three-point attempt. Williams drilled a pull-up three at the top of the key. Crumpton converted two free throws, and Canisius led by 25 at 51-46.
Eventually the Griffs pushed the lead 37. Canisius handed out 15 assists while allowing just 15 field goals. At the same time, the Blue and Gold created 22 turnovers.
“When we play defense, when we’re in the passing lanes and we’re aggressive, that opens up our whole offense,” Valenti stated. “We share the ball and get extra passes.”
Josiah Heath highlighted a 12-0 run midway through the first as the Griffs took their largest lead of the half. The senior center took a pair of feeds from Phil Valenti for back-to-back dunks. Valenti led Heath on three-on-one situation. The duo combined in a half-court set with Valenti finding his post partner from the baseline.
Jeremiah Williams started the run when he swiped an inbounds pass and went the length of the floor for a layup. On the next possession Zach Lewis hit a catch-and shoot 3-pointer from the right corner. Valenti made it a 32-17 game when he converted a rebound and putback.
Williams finished with a career-high six steals.
“Coming into the game we knew they were a running team,” Williams said. “They get up and down the floor, so I pretty much took the responsibility to slow the ball down. Be aggressive on defense. That was the mindset coming in.”
Canisius grabbed a double-digit lead early.
Williams picked the pocket of Maurice White and went the length of the floor for a layup. After a Javion Yogunyemi dunk, Heath found Valenti cutting from the wing for a finish at the rim.
“I try to not give the guard an angle to drive on me,” Williams explained. “Keep him thinking. I had to stay aggressive.”
“I thought ‘Miah’ was a major difference in this game,” Canisius coach Jim Baron said of Williams. “He made some defensive plays. That’s how quick he is. He’s getting smarter with playing on the ball and staying in front. He just has that kind of awareness. He can change a game because of his quickness.”
Wright finished a drive from the top of the key. Jermaine Crumpton responded for Canisius with a trey from the top and 16-6 Griffs advantage.
Despite being outrebounded 44-29 including 20-8 on the offensive boards, the Griffs equaled Siena’s output of second-chance points at 12.
Canisius outscored Siena in the paint, 38-22; off turnovers 32-10 and on the fast break, 15-6. The Canisius bench outscored their counterparts, 42-12.
Not a single Canisius player took more than nine shots for the night.
Williams added 12 while Kassius Robertson chipped in 10.
Marquis Wright headed Siena scoirng with 14 to go with a game-high nine rebounds.
Siena played without leading scorer Rob Poole who sprained his ankle in the Saints most recent outing. Reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year also sat out the game with an injury. Siena lost their leading rebounder early in the season, and Brett Bisping went down with a season-ending injury last month.
The game was delayed an hour due to Siena’s backboard broke in pre-game warmups.
Canisius (9-7/4-3 MAAC) hosts Iona (13-5/6-1) on Sunday. A 2 pm tipoff is scheduled.
Siena (6-10/3-4) travels to Niagara to take on the Purple Eagles (3-13/2-5), Sunday.
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