Dec. 2, 2013

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Following one of the finest all-around performances in program history, Siena Women's Basketball freshman guard Emia Willingham has been named the MAAC Rookie of the Week. The local product out of Albany High tied a program record with 10 steals and added career-highs of 17 points and seven rebounds in Tuesday's win over Sacred Heart.

Willingham's 10 steals - which were also tied for the second most in MAAC history - helped Siena overcome a 10-point second half deficit to rally past 2013 WNIT participant Sacred Heart 58-53. Willingham's 10 steals tied Siena's program record shared by Shawn Shafer (Jan. 30, 1988) and Mary Fuchs (Jan. 19, 1989).

Willingham, who was also named the College Sports Madness MAAC Player of the Week, finished just three rebounds shy of a triple-double in posting her incredible numbers in just 22 minutes of action off the bench while shooting 6-11 (54.5%) from the field. Through the Saints first five games, she leads the team in both scoring (9.7) and steals (4.7) and ranks second in rebounding (5.7) in just 19.3 minutes of action.

Willingham and the Saints look to win their third straight and equal the program's best start in 11 years when they travel to Central Connecticut Tuesday night for a 7 p.m. tip.