Jan. 25, 2009

Box Score

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - Siena used a 25-8 run in the second half to run away from Rider 70-56 Sunday afternoon. Junior guard Merrick Volpe scored all nine of her points during that run. Senior forward Heather Stec led the team with 16 points.

Siena has won five of the last six including both games of this road trip. Four Saints scored double figures: Stec (16), Allie Lindemann (13), Sarah Fullmer (12) and Cristina Centeno (11).

Both teams started the game sloppy with seven turnovers committed by Rider (four on consecutive possessions) and three by Siena in the first four minutes. The Saints capitalized and took a 9-2 lead with seven points off turnovers.

Siena shot 57% from the floor and hit their first three 3-pointers to build a 21-8 lead with 10:45 remaining in the first half.

Both teams survived scoring droughts. Rider went four minutes without a field goal and then Siena went six minutes without a bucket until Sarah Fullmer's jumper with 2:32 left. Rider cut the deficit to 23-17 during that time.

Siena took a 29-21 lead into halftime. They shot 40% from the field while Rider shot 33.7%.

Shaunice Parker was held in check, scoring her first basket of the game at 18:56 of the second half. She finished with six points. Parker had 15 points at Siena on January 9.

Rider jumped on Siena in the opening minutes of the second half with a 13-4 run capped by and Amanda Sepulveda 3-pointer that tied the game 33-33. Siena had led for most of the game up until that point.

The Saints buckled down seven minutes into the second half and went on their 25-8 run to push their lead to 63-45.. Volpe highlighted the run by a slashing layup through the lane and then drilled a 3-pointer from the left corner on the next possession. She shot a perfect 2-for-2 from the field and 4-for-4 from the line.

Siena did all the right things to close out the game. They hit shots, drew fouls on both ends of the court, hit their free throws, and grabbed some crucial rebounds. They took care of the ball and only had five turnovers in the final 17 minutes. With 3:49 left in the game, Siena built a 16-point lead with contributions from everyone on the floor.

Sepulveda led the Broncs with 16 points, Tammy Meyers had 14 and Sarah Homan had 12.

Siena's bench dominated Rider's, outscoring them 26-8. Their bench has outscored the opponent's in five of the last six games (Siena won each of those five games). The Saints shot 6-of-8 (75%) from beyond the arc and 22-of-30 (73.3%) from the free throw line.

Siena returns to action Thursday when they travel to Fairfield. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.