Final Stats

DENVER, COLO. - Undefeated Akron bridged the first and second halves with a 33-12 run spanning 12 minutes to defeat previously unbeaten Siena Women's Basketball 90-74 in the inaugural University of Denver Thanksgiving Classic Championship Game at Magness Arena.

Senior captain Tehresa Coles led the Saints (3-1) with 17 points to go along with six rebounds and a career-high tying six steals as Siena, which was off to its best start in 21 years, fell just short of starting 4-0 for the first time in the program's 41-year history.

Anita Brown (28) and Sina King (23) combined for 51 points for Akron (6-0) which is off to its best start in 40 years. The reigning Mid-American Conference Tournament Champions entered the week ranked 24th in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 Poll.

Siena scored the first six points of the game, but was plagued by foul trouble throughout. Playing with just eight active players, the Saints were whistled for 16 first half fouls including three players who had three and three more picked up two.

As a result Akron, which shot 22 first half free throws, chipped away at the deficit and took the lead for good 30-29 on an Alex Ricketts layup with 6:56 left in the half. The Zips would end the stanza on a 19-9 run to take a 47-38 lead at the break.

Akron, which shot 52.7% from the field and 50% (7-14) from three, came out firing in the second half. The Zips opened the stanza on a 14-3 run to build a commanding 20-point lead, 61-41 on a King layup with 14:53 to play. King added 11 rebounds in posting a double-double for Akron which led by no fewer than 13 points the rest of the way.

Nonetheless, there were several bright spots for the Saints which ended November with a winning record for the second straight season after not having done so the previous 13 years. Siena forced Akron, which entered the day ranked eighth nationally in fewest turnovers (10.6) into 20 miscues. Siena swiped 13 steals led by Coles who tied her career-high for the fourth time.

But Akron, which is coming off back-to-back 23 win seasons and postseason appearances, just had too much firepower offensively in the end. The Zips, which entered the day averaging 83.4 points, dished out 21 assists with four players recording three or more helpers.

Two-time reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week Margot Hetzke posted her second double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Saints, while Akron native Meghan Donohue added 15 points on 7-12 shooting against her hometown team.

For the first time since the 2008-09 season, women's conference play will open in December and the first MAAC game of the year will feature Siena hosting Fairfield Wednesday night at the ARC at 7 p.m. The Saints will be partnering with Siena Feel Good, a non-profit organization raising money to end world hunger. They'll be selling gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches for a suggested donation of $3-5 to help end world hunger with 100% of those profits going towards the Hunger Project.