Jan. 29, 2012
Box Score
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena gave Marist all it could handle Sunday, but in the end the Saints just couldn't do enough offensively to pull off the upset. Siena shot just 25.9% from the field and Marist induced 22 turnovers as the Red Foxes scathed off the Saints 56-45 at the ARC.
Marist (15-6, 10-0) remained atop the MAAC with its 34th straight conference win and improved to 68-4 in January since the start of the 2004-05 season. Meanwhile the Saints (6-13, 4-6) dropped their 16th straight to the six-time defending MAAC Champions.
Siena shot just 23.1% in the first half, committed 13 turnovers and the starting lineup contributed just six points on a combined 1-12 shooting. But the persistent Saints hung tough throughout thanks to a strong defensive effort, solid rebounding and impressive bench production.
As a result, the Saints trailed just 23-19 at the half. Siena out-rebounded Marist by 10 in the first half and received 13 bench points to keep it close. Kanika Cummings provided a much needed spark off the bench and finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
But Siena was unable to get enough offense as Marist frustrated the Saints throughout. The Red Foxes swiped 16 steals and added 11 blocked shots to keep Siena at bay.
Marist slowly increased its lead to 45-32 with 6:33 remaining following a Corielle Yarde three. The resilient Saints answered with the next six points to pull within seven, but Marist freshman Natalie Gomez hit a backbreaking three as the shot clock expired with 2:47 remaining to seal the deal.
Brandy Gang led Marist with 19 points and five blocks, while Kelsey Beynnon added 13 points and four assists. The Preseason MAAC Player of the Year, Yarde contributed a relatively quiet 11 points and five steals.
Siena kept close thanks to a strong performance on the glass where they out-rebounded Marist 45-26 which included 20 offensive rebounds and a 12-2 edge in second chance points.
Lily Grenci led the charge in the low post and picked up her fourth double-double of the season. The MAAC's leading scorer finished with a hard fought 17 points and 11 rebounds.
With the loss, Siena falls into a four-way tie for fifth place in the jumbled MAAC standings along with Canisius, Loyola and Niagara. The Saints return to action Thursday at fourth place Manhattan, which currently holds just a half game lead over Siena in the standings. The Jaspers and Saints tip off at 6 p.m. in Riverdale.
