Feb. 23, 2007

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

Loudonville, N.Y. - Sophomore guard Shondaya Burrell registered her second double-double scoring a career-high 28 points and 10 rebounds to lead Siena (8-19, 7-10) to a 78-65 victory over Niagara (13-15, 5-12) this evening at the Alumni Recreation Center. Purple Eagles senior guard Shaunna Ambrose led all scorers with 32 points. This marked the second straight game an opposing player registered a 30 point performance. The victory snaps a three game Siena losing streak.

"Eight turnovers says it all," said head coach Gina Castelli. "Everything we did tonight we were sure of. Everyone stepped up to the challenge tonight, and I am really proud of the all around team effort."

The Saints struck first jumping out to a 10-2 lead and never looked back. Niagara struggled on the offensive end shooting 2-for-14 from the field to start the game. Then midway through the half, Siena ran off a 14-2 run capped off by a Heather Stec lay-up to give the Saints a commanding 24-7 advantage. Stec finished just shy of a double-double posting a career best 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

Siena took a 37-23 advantage into intermission thanks to solid shooting (46.9%). Stec got off to a hot start knocking down 5-of-7 field goals for 10 first half points.

The Saints coasted in the second half seeing their largest lead of the game when Burrell connected on a three point play at 14:34 to put the Saints ahead by 21. The Purple Eagles made a late run cutting the lead to 71-61 after three straight baskets by junior guard Michelle Manfredi. However, the Saints hit their free-throws down the stretch to hold off Niagara and earn a 78-65 victory on senior night.

Seniors Katelyn Dooley and Naimah Abdullah were honored in a pregame ceremony for all their accomplishments over their four year careers in Loudonville. With the shot clock running down, Dooley buried a jumper with 11 seconds remaining to mark her last basket in the Alumni Recreation Center. Dooley finished with 15 points on the evening.

The Saints committed a season low eight turnovers and shot a solid 44.8% from the field. They shot 79% from the free-throw strip, but knocked down 18-of-21 second half attempts.

Siena returns to action on Sunday in their regular-season finale against Manhattan in Riverdale, N.Y. Tip time is set for noon. With a victory on Sunday, the Saints could finish as high as fifth overall.