Dec. 30, 2009
Final Stats
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena used its 16 days between games to focus on team defense and smothered Sacred Heart 51-45 Wednesday evening in its final non-conference game of the regular season. The Saints never trailed and snapped Sacred Heart's five-game win streak. Siena held the Pioneers to just 34% shooting from the field, their worst in any game this season, and 26.7% from 3 (averaging 46% this season). Siena's players also forced Sacred Heart into 19 turnovers.
"We played great team defense," Siena Head Coach Gina Castelli said. "They carried out everything we've been stressing."
Junior forward Serena Moore scored 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field and had six rebounds, five steals, four assists and two blocks.
Siena (2-7) started the game 8-of-12 from the field and led 18-7 with 12:37 remaining in the first half. Sacred Heart (8-4) used a 13-2 run in the next five minutes to tie the game 20-20. Siena's defense clamped down and the Pioneers made just 1-of-10 shots until halftime. The Saints led 28-22, matching their largest lead at halftime this season.
Senior forward Sarah Fullmer continued her strong play when the game matters most, in the second half. She scored 12 of her team-high 17 points in the second half, making 5-of-6 from the field. Her layup four minutes into the second half made it 37-25 and marked Siena's largest lead of the season.
Sacred Heart fought back and cut the deficit to 47-45 with 2:38 remaining, following a 7-point run. But sophomore guard Cristina Centeno responded by making a layup on the next possession and Sacred Heart missed its final seven shots of the game.
Siena scored 21 points off turnovers, its highest total of the season.
"Our players really focused on playing good team defense," Castelli said. "We need to continue this as we enter league play."
Sacred Heart's 45 points is the fewest allowed by Siena since January 16, 2009 when the Saints defeated Iona 70-45 in Loudonville.
Siena returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Niagara in the MAAC opener. Game time is schedule for 2 p.m.
