Jan. 8, 2007
Final Stats
New Rochelle, N.Y. - Siena women's basketball dropped a double-overtime thriller to Iona (9-6, 4-0) 81-77 in New Rochelle, N.Y. Junior guard Melissa Manzer registered a career-high 18 points on the night. Heather Stec, a sophomore forward, delivered her first career double-double posting career-highs in points (11) and rebounds (16).
"We have to treat this one like a win," said head coach Gina Castelli. "Our team battled for 50 straight minutes and came up just short. If we can take this team into double-overtime we can beat any team in the league."
The Gaels posted the first bucket of the game and didn't trail again through the first 20 minutes of play. Martina Weber, MAAC `Preseason Player of the Year', went 5-of-6 from the field posting 10 first half points. Iona took a 37-31 advantage into the half.
Senior co-captain Katelyn Dooley dropped three first half three pointers moving into sole possession of fourth place on the program's all-time career 3-pointer chart. The Saints shot a stunning 50% from the field and 56% from beyond the arc in the first half of action.
Siena struck first in the second period with a Laura Menty lay-up that sparked an 8-0 run. The Saints took their first lead of the game on a Stec jumper from the top of the key with 17:45 remaining in the half.
The Saints remained in charge for the majority of the second half. Then with 1:06 remaining, Gaels guard Lauren DeFalco sank a 3-pointer to even the score at 67 apiece. Siena responded the very next possession. Manzer shook her defender with the shot clock running down, kicked it out to Dooley who was spotted up in the right corner and drained her fourth 3-pointer of the game to put the Saints up 70-67.
Iona refused to surrender as they hurried down court and senior guard Toni Horvath buried a deep three with just seconds remaining to send the contest into overtime. Horvath tallied 16 second half points going 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. This marked the second time the Saints engaged in an overtime battle this season.
The Saints posted the first four points in the first overtime session taking a 74-70 advantage. Once again, the Gaels rallied back and used an Anna McLean 3-pointer with 48 seconds left to even the score at 75-75. Iona outscored the Saints 6-2 in the final overtime session. Horvath buried her fifth 3-pointer with 3:19 remaining as the Gaels never looked back from that point on edging the Saints 81-77.
Siena clamped down defensively on Weber in the second half holding her to just three points. The Saints shot 45% from the field and 47% from beyond the arc on the evening. Four players scored in double-figures for the Green and Gold: Shondaya Burrell (17), Manzer (18), Dooley (14) and Stec (11).
With the loss, the Saints extend their losing streak to four straight standing 2-12 overall and 1-3 in league play. Siena looks to rebound on Friday night when they face off with Fairfield at the Alumni Recreation Center. Tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
