ALBANY - Former Siena guard Gavin Doty scored 20 points to help Syracuse barely hold off the Saints 81-76 in an exhibition game Sunday before 8,604 fans at MVP Arena.
Led by new head coach Nevada Smith, the Saints were extremely competitive against Syracuse of the Atlantic Coast Conference in a game preceded by a ring and banner ceremony for Siena's 2025-26 Metro Conference championship team.
Siena welcomed back Syracuse coach Gerry McNamara and players Doty, Francis Folefac and Tasman Goodrick, all members of last year's team that went to the program's first NCAA Tournament since 2010. McNamara returned to lead the Orange, his alma mater, last March.
Two Siena freshmen were impressive in their unofficial college debuts. Tim Ibukunoluwa had 23 points and 14 rebounds and Trent Egbiremolen scored 19 points in a game set up to celebrate the championship and raise money for Siena's revenue-sharing with its athletes.
Siena's Reid Ducharme (11 points) missed a 3-point attempt for the lead with 42 seconds left. After Doty made two foul shots for a 77-74 lead, Ducharme missed another 3-pointer. Doty sank two more foul shots for the final points.
Siena led for most of the first half. The Saints jumped to leads of 6-0 and 12-5 and took a 39-38 lead into the locker room when Ibukunoluwa scored on an offensive rebound just before the halftime buzzer.
Syracuse opened a 13-point lead early in the second half. Siena closed within 4 before former Syracuse freshman Ryan Moesch made a 3-pointer for a 72-65 lead with 3:37 left. Moesch was a Siena signee before following McNamara to Syracuse.
Siena celebrated its 2025-26 Metro Conference championship before the game.
The crowd included Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, the Syracuse legend whose son, Kiyan, plays for the Orange. Carmelo Anthony sat at the end of the row behind the Syracuse bench and was introduced on the MVP Arena scoreboard. He flashed a peace sign to the crowd, which included a good amount of Syracuse fans.
Siena graduate forward Brendan Coyle of Niskayuna didn't play because of an upper-body injury.
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