College basketball results: New York small schools struggling early

The men's college basketball season is five days old, and already many of the New York small schools, which are expected to contend for conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths, opened its 2012-13 campaigns.

So far, some programs like Stony Brook, Iona and Siena found some early success, while Long Island, Manhattan and Fordham are struggling. Here's a brief rundown of how each team is doing.

Iona Gaels (1-0): Earned a season-opening victory over the Denver Pioneers, 65-58. Senior guard Lamont Jones scored a team-high 20 points while teammate junior guard Sean Armand added 19. Iona went 24-for-45 from the floor (53-percent) and made 11-for-12 from the free throw line.

Last season, the Gaels earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament and fell in the first round to the BYU Cougars, 78-72.

Iona was predicted to finish third out of 10 teams in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Siena Saints (1-1): Has already played in two thrillers. The Saints opened their season Friday with a slim 54-53 loss to the Vermont Catamounts, who won on a Sandro Carissimo layup with nine seconds remaining. Sien went 11-for-24 from the foul line.

On Sunday, the Saints rebounded with a 54-49 overtime victory against the Navy Midshipmen. Senior forward O.D. Anosike, a Staten Island, NY native, tallied 17 points and 12 rebounds. Anosike scored the lone basket in the extra session.

Siena was predicted to finish sixth out of 10 teams in the MAAC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Long Island U. Blackbirds (0-2): Losers of two close contests. The Blackbirds dropped their season opener, 77-74, to Morehead St. Eagles. Senior forward Jamal Olasewere scored 26 points in the losing effort.

On Monday, Long Island fell, 98-94, in overtime to the Lafayette Leopards on the road. Olasewere tallied 25 points.

The Blackbirds are the defending Northeast Conference champions and are the preseason favorite to earn their third straight conference title.

Stony Brook Seawolves (3-0): Trying to redeem themselves from last year's disappointing loss in the America East Championship, a game Stony Brook was a heavy favorite to win, the Seawolves have raced out to a 3-0 start.

On Tuesday, Stony Brook downed the Rider Broncs, 54-46, in an early morning showdown that was a part of ESPN's 24-hour tip-off marathon.

The Seawolves won their season opener, 60-57, against Marist Red Foxes, then routed Mount Ida College, 93-57, on Sunday.

Entering Tuesday, Stony Brook had five players averaging over eight points per game.

Manhattan Jaspers (0-1): Lost to the No. 2-ranked Louisville Cardinals, 79-51, on Sunday. Junior forward Rhamel Brown scored a team-high 18 points. Jaspers committed 26 turnovers.

The Jaspers earned two first-place votes and were predicted to finish second out of 10 teams in the MAAC.

Fordham Rams (0-3): Lost season opener Sunday to Texas State Bobcats, 86-76, then was blown out by the Pittsburgh Panthers, 86-61, Monday and Robert Morris Colonials, 74-58, on Tuesday.

The Rams were predicted to finish 14th in the 16-team Atlantic 10 Conference.

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