Siena basketball delivered a statement performance in its home opener, dismantling Princeton 82-68 at MVP Arena behind a historic outing from freshman Tim Ibukunoluwa. The 6-foot-8 Australian forward went 12-for-12 from the field, scoring 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to set a new program record for most field goals in a game without a miss. Ibukunoluwa surpassed the previous benchmark of 9-for-9 set by Gavin Doty last season, cementing his status as a dominant force in just his second collegiate game.
Australian freshman shatters program records to secure first win for new coach Nevada Smith
The Saints, who rebounded from an opening night loss at Bryant, used a 9-0 run early in the first half to establish a commanding 26-14 lead. Although Princeton managed to close the gap to within seven points late in the third quarter, Siena’s offense reasserted control when Ibukunoluwa hit a crucial layup with 4:49 remaining. Pace Prosser provided essential support with 20 points and six assists, helping the team maintain a 19-point cushion at its peak before securing the victory in front of 4,393 fans.
This victory marks a pivotal milestone for first-year head coach Nevada Smith, who claimed his first Division I win with the Saints. Ibukunoluwa’s second consecutive double-double highlights a promising start for the 1-1 team, which now looks to build momentum off this efficient, high-scoring performance. The combination of Ibukunoluwa’s perfect shooting and Prosser’s playmaking offers a clear blueprint for Siena’s offensive identity moving forward in the season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
