Final Stats

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Samantha Cooper broke a 55-all tie by hitting Fairfield's first three-pointer with just 47 seconds remaining as the Stags fended off Siena Women's Basketball 60-55 in the MAAC opener at the ARC. Sophomore captain Meghan Donohue tied a career-high with 16 points for the Saints.

Sophomore Kelsey Carey, who had scored in double figures just once previously in her career, scored a game-high 22 points on 11-15 shooting off the bench for Fairfield (2-5, 1-0). Casey Smith added 14 points for the Stags which have won nine of the past 10 meetings against Siena (3-2, 0-1) including six of seven in Loudonville.

Senior captain Tehresa Coles scored in double figures for a fifth time in five games to open the season with 12 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists for Siena, while Donohue shot 8-13 from the floor while adding seven rebounds.

The Saints came out flying, racing to a 15-4 lead at the 14:32 mark. But Fairfield's defense clamped down from there, holding Siena scoreless for the next 7:35. As a result the Stags ultimately went on a 17-4 run to take their first lead of the game, 21-19, on a Smith three-point play at the 4:50 mark.

Siena would rally to claim a 27-25 lead at the break in what would be a back and forth game the rest of the way with six total ties and 11 lead changes.

With the exception of the final 30 seconds, it was a one possession game from the 18:18 mark of the second half on. But Siena could never reclaim a lead over the final 10:10 as Fairfield's surgical half court execution was the difference.

The Stags shot 52% (13-25) in the second half and dished out 14 assists as opposed to just seven turnovers for the game. Siena entered the day leading the MAAC in steals (11.0), while forcing their opponents into 19.0 turnovers per game.

The Saints hung tough as freshman Margot Hetzke's layup tied the game one final time with 1:08 remaining, but Cooper delivered the dagger on the ensuing possession. Cooper finished with 12 points and seven rebounds for Fairfield which has won seven straight conference openers.

Freshman Kollyns Scarbrough added season-highs with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds for the Saints. Siena out-rebounded Fairfield 41-28 including 21 off the offensive glass but couldn't convert, managing just seven second chance points.

Siena continues its conference-opening week Friday at MAAC Preseason co-favorite Quinnipiac. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. in Hamden, Conn.