Mar. 2, 2001

Buffalo, N.Y. - The Saints used a 17-2 run in the first half to take control and cruise past Canisius 81-60 in a MAAC quarterfinal Friday at the HSBC Arena. The win was Siena's 13th in a row.

Siena used a balanced scoring attack with four starters in double figures. Mary McKissack provided an early boost and finished with 17 points, her second-highest total of the season. MAAC Player of the Year Gunta Basko posted her 13th double-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds to go along with three assists, two blocks and three steals. Sacha Baker poured in 16 and Liene Jansone added 13.

The Saints (22-5) shot 49 percent from the field while Canisius (9-19) managed only 34 percent. After the 17-2 run put Siena up 23-8, the Golden Griffins never pulled closer than nine and never closer than 16 after halftime.

Griffs star Shauna Geronzin struggled, scoring just one point in the first half and 12 overall. She was the only double figure scorer for Canisius, which lost to Siena for the third time this season.

The Saints will move on to face two-time defending champion St. Peter's in the semifinals tomorrow night.