ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Sandro Carissimo’s layup with nine seconds left gave Vermont a 54-53 victory over Siena Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
Luke Apfeld scored a game-high 16 points for the Catamounts and Brian Volkel’s layup with 1:37 left tied the game at 52-all. But it was Siena’s foul shooting that did in the Saints. They were 11 for 24 from the free throw line, 4 for 17 in the second half.
While power forward O.D. Anosike, who averaged a double-double last season, recorded one Friday with 10 points and 17 rebounds, he cost Siena dearly. Anosike missed nine of his 11 free throw. His last miss proved decisive.
Fouled with 18 seconds left and the score tied 52-52, Anosike made his first free throw but missed the second. Carissimo’s spinning layup at 0:09 gave him 11 points and Vermont the victory.
Evan Hymes led Siena with 15 points.
