Nov. 14, 2014
Final Stats
BUFFALO, N.Y. -
Margot Hetzke had a collegiate debut she won't soon forget. The freshman forward burst onto the scene, posting a double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds and triggered a 15-0 game-ending run as Siena Women's Basketball rallied late for a season-opening 58-50 win at Buffalo.
Siena, which was projected to finish 10th of 11 teams in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, held Buffalo, the preseason favorite to win the Mid-American Conference's Eastern Division, scoreless for the final 4:58.
Hetzke's put back with 2:13 remaining tied the game and junior forward Symone Kelly put the Saints back on top for good with the go-ahead basket with 83 seconds remaining. Senior tri-captain and Preseason Third Team All-MAAC selection Tehresa Coles made all six of her foul shots in the final 46 seconds to clinch the game for the Saints which won just their second season opener in the past decade.
Mackenzie Loesing led the Bulls with 13 points, while Rachael Gregory added 12 off the bench. Gregory's layup capped a 9-2 run that gave Buffalo its biggest lead of the game, 50-43 with just under five minutes remaining.
But an inspired Siena squad, competing with just eight active players, dug even deeper in crunch time. The Saints forced Buffalo to miss their final eight shots while inducing four turnovers. Siena, which led the MAAC in both steals and turnovers forced in each of head coach Ali Jaques' first two seasons, swiped 15 steals and induced 23 Buffalo turnovers.
Meanwhile Siena, which missed 22 of its first 25 shots to start the second half, hit four of its final seven in beating Buffalo for the second straight season.
Siena won all the effort points too. In addition to swiping steals and forcing turnovers, the Saints out-rebounded Buffalo's beefier front line 49-37 while also out-scoring the Bulls 34-16 in the paint.
Coles joined Hetzke in double figures with 13 points to go along with six rebounds and a game-high five steals. Siena's second leading returning scorer, sophomore captain and Preseason Third Team All-MAAC selection Meghan Donohue, added five points in just 14 minutes before fouling out.
Siena opened the game much like it ended it. After Buffalo scored on the opening possession, the Saints scored the next 12 points. Siena led 33-29 at the half behind 15 first half points from Hetzke.
Siena will look to build off its impressive season-opening win Wednesday, when the Saints host Central Connecticut in their home opener at 7 p.m. at the ARC. The game marks the Saints' Annual Stomp Out Homelessness Game, benefiting Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless. For just $10, fans will receive the Official STOMP T-shirt, admission to the game, a Dog House store coupon, a concession coupon and a special giveaway.
