Dec. 3, 2001

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - After notching two double-doubles in Siena's first two victories of the season, junior Gunta Basko was named the MAAC Player of the Week Monday.

Basko (Olaine, Latvia/Riga Secondary #3) narrowly missed a triple-double against Albany with 17 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high nine steals. She followed that up by leading the Saints past New Hampshire with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Basko scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half, including three three-pointers in rallying Siena from a 21-point first half deficit to victory.

The Latvian has posted four straight double-doubles in points and rebounds and has 21 double-doubles in her career. She also moved into the top-20 all-time on Siena's scoring list against UNH. For the season, the junior leads Siena and ranks among conference leaders in points (18.4), rebounding (10.4), steals (4.0), and blocks (1.6).

Siena has won two straight following an 0-3 start. The Saints open the MAAC schedule with a rematch of last year's tournament final against Fairfield. Tipoff in the new Arena at Harbor Yard is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday.