Reynolds, Snipes Power Saints Past Falcons in Opening Round of Tourney!!

Brent Reynolds scored 23 points including 5 of 9 from long range as the 15th ranked Siena Heights Saints (13-2) knocked off the Notre Dame College Falcons 84-69 in the opening round of the Notre Dame Baymont Inn Holiday Tournament. Reynolds was one of four Saints in double figures on the evening. Mark Snipes tallied 17 points, Logan Matthews and Cortney Smith each tallied 14. Siena Heights shot 49 percent from the field, and was a sizzling 11-22 (50%) from three point range.

The Falcons (8-5) dropped their 5th game of the last six after a 7-0 start. The "blue and white" had three players in double numbers Tuesday evening. Nick McCartney led the way with 16 points and tallied 5 assists. Eric Dummermuth scored 14 on only 3 of 10 shooting. Dummermuth was held to just 7 rebounds. Dummermuth was well below his average (24.9 ppg). Curtis Mclure rounded out the double digit scorers with 12 for NDC. The Falcons struggled both from the field (38%) and from long distance (29%).

The Falcons came out of the gate quickly with a 4-0 start in the first minute and a half on hoops by Dummermuth and Miller. Siena Heights would answer with 5 straight points on a three ball by Cory Umfress and a bucket by Mark Snipes. The two teams would trade baskets for much of the first half until the Saints went on a mini run at the end of the half to take a 40-33 lead at the intermission.

Siena Heights would up that lead to 15 (50-35) early in the second half on a conventional three point play by Snipes. Notre Dame would answer with a 7-0 run to cut the Saints lead to 8 on a pair of free throws by Will Townsend. SHU would have an answer as they would open the lead back up to 13 (55-42) on another trey by Reynolds. The lead would stay that way for a few minutes until SHU would increase there bulge to 72-55 on a Mathews hoop. The Falcons would get no closer than 14 the rest of the way as the Saints would finnish off the 84-69 victory. The Falcons will be back in action Wednesday at 2 PM in the consolation game against Toronto Varsity Blues. Siena Heights will tangle with Indiana Wesleyan in the nightcap, tip time for that game is approximately 4 PM.