Jan. 12, 2007
Final Stats
Loudonville, N.Y. - The Siena women's basketball team used Laura Menty's game-high 19 points to earn their first win of the New Year as the Saints rolled past Fairfield (7-9, 3-2) 57-52 tonight at the Alumni Recreation Center. Shondaya Burrell registered her first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
"This is a great win for us," said head coach Gina Castelli. "We have played well since the New Year, but the scores just haven't showed it. The team has learned a lot so far, and we'll see if we can make this consistent."
Senior co-captain Katelyn Dooley drained a three just 12 seconds into the game which sparked a Saints 9-4 opening run. Siena took a 29-28 advantage into intermission behind Burrell's 10 first half points.
Jessica Edmonds, a sophomore center, sank a jumper with 8:55 remaining in the first half marking her first basket as a Saint.
The Stags entered the second half rejuvenated and regained the lead on a Megan Caskin jumper at the 18:23 mark taking a 30-29 edge. Fairfield gradually earned their biggest lead of the game just under 10 minutes later when Baendu Lowenthal laid one in extending their advantage to nine.
Siena battled back soon thereafter running off scoring streaks of their own. They eventually evened the game at 52 apiece on a Heather Stec layup with 1:49 remaining. Stec registered five points and ripped down 10 boards on the night. This marked the third straight game Stec posted 10+ rebounds.
Then with under a minute to play, Dooley dished the ball to Menty in the post, backed down her isolated defender and laid one in to give the Saints the lead for good. Siena sank 3-of-4 free-throws down the stretch and went on to earn their first win of 2007.
The Saints brought back the 1981-82 NYSAIAW Division II Championship Team and honored them at halftime for all their accomplishments during that magical year. The Lady Indians reunited for their 25th anniversary celebration.
With the victory, the Saints improved to 3-12 overall and 2-3 in league play. Siena welcomes Loyola to Loudonville, N.Y. on Sunday. Tip time is slated for 3 p.m.
