Dec. 22, 2010
Box Score
Photo Gallery
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Three days before Christmas a pair of Santa's descended on UHY court. One spread holiday cheer to several hundred youngsters in the crowd who were a part of a very successful first-ever Kid's Day game at the ARC. The other one left the Capital Region victorious as UC Santa Barbara defeated the Saints 71-49 in the Green and Gold's final home game of 2010.
The Gauchos (6-6), winners of five of their past six contests, used blistering shooting to propel them to victory as they connected on 56% (28-for-50) of their shots, including a 7-for-15 ratio from beyond the arc.
Siena (1-7) meanwhile responded well from a humbling loss 11 days ago, playing with tremendous intensity on both ends of the court and capitalized off a pressure defense which recorded 10 steals and forced 21 UCSB turnovers, leading to 20 Siena points.
The Gauchos led throughout, building as much as an 18-point first half lead at 37-19 capped by a Melissa Zornig three with 1:19 remaining. Zornig led a Gauchos second unit that scored 30 points with a career-high 13 points.
Siena continued to fight though and from that point on went on their biggest run of the game - an 8-0 spurt over the next three minutes that pulled them within 10. The Green and Gold were assisted in their comeback effort by strong offensive rebounding as they garnered 19 second chance attempts. The Saints would get as close as 10 on several occasions in the second half, but UCSB would let them get no closer.
The MAAC's leading scorer and rebounder Serena Moore led the Saints with 13 points and seven rebounds and dished out five assists, making several nifty passes that brought the youthful crowd to its feet. Maja Gerlyng also reached double figures as she added 10 points.
Mekia Valentine, who ranks third nationally in blocked shots, was as advertised in the low post as she led three Gauchos in double figures with 14 points and five blocks. Emilie Johnson added 11 points and five assists.
The Saints return to action for their final games of 2010 next week when they partake in the Fordham University Classic in the Bronx. Siena will battle Big East power Villanova next Tuesday at 3 p.m. and the host Rams Wednesday at 1 p.m.
