Feb. 6, 2011
Box Score
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Lily Grenci and the Saints just love to play on Super Bowl Sunday. For a third straight year Siena won on arguably the biggest sports day of the year and Grenci smashed her career-high in scoring from last year's Super Bowl Sunday with 18 points off the bench as the Saints swept the regular season series from Niagara, 57-35 at the ARC.
Last year, Grenci led the Saints' (9-13, 7-5) second unit with a career-high 14 points as Siena rallied from 18 down to stun Iona in overtime. This season, Siena wouldn't have nearly as much trouble in putting away the Purple Eagles (1-22, 0-12).
A month after posting their largest-ever MAAC road win in a 77-37 blowout at Niagara, the Saints recorded their second biggest win of the year.
Siena's pressure defense forced Niagara into 26 turnovers, 17 of which came in the first half. However, the Saints' shot just 26.9% (7-for-26) from the floor in the opening stanza, keeping the Purple Eagles within striking distance at 23-16 at the half.
But the Saints would go on to shoot 44% in the second half and opened the stanza on 20-6 run to pull away.
Siena's defense was outstanding, allowing a season-low 35 points. Additionally, the Saints again dominated the boards out-rebounding Niagara 34-24 which included 18 offense rebounds. Siena held major advantages in points in the paint (28-12), points off turnovers (23-6) and second chance points (16-4).
As a result of their turnovers and their inability to rebound, the Purple Eagles were limited to just 30 field goal attempts, while the Saints took 51.
Grenci led all scorers, reaching double figures for a third time this season off the bench. Serena Moore was equally impressive with 17 points and nine rebounds and also added three assists and three steals.
As a whole, Siena's second unit provided a huge lift with the bench scoring a season-high 28 points. Their contributions proved to be vital as Niagara held the Saints second and third leading scorers Maja Gerlyng and Cristina Centeno to a combined five points on 1-for-11 shooting.
Jessica Flamm led Niagara with a team-high seven points off the bench as the Purple Eagles dropped their 17th straight game.
Siena now heads on the road for a season long four-game road trip beginning Saturday at second place Loyola. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. from Baltimore.
