Siena Dominates Bryant in 2025-26 Men’s Basketball Opener

The Siena men’s basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a commanding victory against the Bryant Bulldogs, winning 82-66 at the arena formerly known as the Knickerbocker in Albany, New York. The Saints led throughout the game, establishing a significant advantage and showcasing the potential of their roster.

Siena surged ahead early, starting the game with a 13-2 run and maintaining a lead that peaked at 21 points. Newcomer Tasman Goodrick, a transfer from Gannon University, made an immediate impact in his Division I debut. He recorded a dominant performance, scoring 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds on 11-of-14 shooting, marking his first double-double in a Siena uniform.

In addition to Goodrick’s contributions, preseason First Team All-MAAC selection Justice Shoats added 17 points and nine assists. The Saints’ solid performance was bolstered by Brendan Coyle, who contributed 13 points and matched his career-high with four assists. Siena’s effective teamwork was evident as they amassed a total of 19 assists against only seven turnovers.

For Bryant, Timofei Rudovskii led the scoring with 15 points, showcasing accuracy with a shooting line of 5-of-6, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs, under new head coach Jamion Christian, who previously coached Siena during the 2018-19 season, struggled to find a rhythm. They finished the game with a shooting percentage of 10-of-22 from three-point range.

Siena’s dominance in the paint was a critical factor, as they scored 52 points in that area. The Saints capitalized on defensive mistakes by Bryant, converting 20 turnovers into a remarkable 27-0 advantage in points off turnovers. Their ability to control the game was evident, as they led by double digits for most of the second half, including an 8-0 run that pushed their lead to 71-50 with 7:31 remaining.

The victory marked Siena’s sixth win in the last seven season openers, demonstrating their strong start to the new campaign. With this win, the Saints improved to a remarkable 64-21 (.753) all-time in home openers, including a 37-13 (.740) record at the Division I level.

Looking ahead, Siena will continue their season by facing Ivy League opponent Brown University on November 10, 2025, at 19:00 in Providence, Rhode Island. The Saints will aim to build on their opening night success as they navigate through the early part of the schedule, encouraging optimism among their fans and supporters.