Jan. 29, 2007
Final Stats
Loudonville, N.Y. - Junior forward Laura Menty led all scorers with 20 points to guide the Saints to a 87-55 victory over Rider at the Alumni Recreation Center this evening. Siena (5-15, 4-6) placed five players in double-figures and four registered career-highs as they snapped a two game losing streak.
"This was a great win for us tonight," said head coach Gina Castelli. "It was a phenomenal team effort; they played well on both ends of the floor."
Siena came out on a mission as they rattled off 11 unanswered points to start the game, five coming from senior co-captain Katelyn Dooley. With the baskets, Dooley snapped a two game scoring drought.
The Saints honored Dooley in a pre-game ceremony for becoming just the 23rd player in program history to score 1,000 career points. On Jan. 19, Dooley knocked down the record setting basket on a free-throw with 8:51 remaining in the first half versus Canisius at the Times Union Center.
"We are all very happy for Kate," said Castelli. "She has done so much for the program over the past four years and this is a great accomplishment for her. We are very fortunate to have her here at Siena."
Siena cruised through the first half carrying an 18 point advantage (47-29) into intermission. This marked the Saints largest halftime lead of the season. Menty posted 14 of her game high 20 points in the first 20 minutes going 5-for-6 from the field.
Junior guard Liga Alpe-Luka sparked the Saints offensive attack in the second half. She knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the half to extend the Saints lead to 25 with 12:40 remaining. Alpe-Luka recorded a career-high 9 points going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.
Freshman center Sarah Fullmer contributed 14 points in 18 minutes of action. Heather Stec, Shondaya Burrell and Dooley all chipped in 11 points apiece. Stec's 11 points tied a career-high.
Merrick Volpe, a freshman guard, recorded a career night scoring six points and pulling down four rebounds. Melissa Manzer also registered career figures dishing out 10 assists on the evening.
The Saints 32 point win marked their largest margin of victory since last season when they knocked off Niagara 79-44 at the Alumni Recreation Center. It was also the first time this season that the Saints placed five players in double-figures.
Siena takes to the road to face-off with Niagara on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. They complete the two game road trip on Saturday when they take on Canisius at 2:00 p.m.
