LIVONIA, Mich. -- The Siena Heights men's basketball team earned its first win in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) play with a 92-69 win over Michigan-Dearborn on Saturday afternoon. The Saints (3-9, 1-5 WHAC) scored 51 points in the second half to maintain the lead to pull away for the win.
Kevin Rice led the way with 23 points and six rebounds. Curtis Bell III returned to the floor for Siena Heights and scored 13 points, five assists, and six rebounds in the winning effort. Davin Walker also finished in double-digits with12 points. Walker was one rebound away from obtaining a double-double on the day. Max Moratinos tallied eight points and pulled down five rebounds.
The Saints started the game with an 8-0 run that consisted of a layup by Walker, a three from Rice, and another three from Jay Kirby in the opening three minutes of play. Moratinos hit two free throws, and Rice made a layup to give the game its first double-digit lead at 12-2. Another 7-0 run extended the lead to 20-5 with 12:12 left in the opening half. The Saints continued to build upon their advantage as the half went forward. Rice hit a layup to double up the Wolverines, 34-17, with just over 5:30 left in the half. Back-to-back three-point jumpers for UM-Dearborn cut the lead to 36-26 with 2:05 on the clock. The Saints moved ahead 41-28 as the teams entered the locker room at the half.
The second half was much the same as the first, as the Saints continued to maintain and build upon their significant lead. Two free throws from Kiewuan Graham moved the advantage up to 20 points, 51-31, with just under 16 minutes left to play. Carsten Mayes made a layup that pushed the lead to 57-33. Jace Norton made a three-point jumper that extended it further to 62-33 with 13:14 left to play. London Gillery hit a layup through a foul and completed the and-one to give Siena a 74-43 with 9:50 left in regulation. The lead peaked at 80-45 with 8:06 reaming, and the Saints never allowed the Wolverines to get much closer before the final buzzer sounded.
Up Next
The Siena Heights men's basketball team will remain on the road with a contest at Holy Cross on Wednesday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m.
