Final Stats

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - In a season full of milestone victories, Siena Women's Basketball finally earned the signature win it was looking for. Senior captain Tehresa Coles scored 16 points and freshman forward Margot Hetzke posted her fifth double-double of the year with 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Saints knocked off Fairfield 54-47 at Webster Bank Arena.

By virtue of its win over the third place team in the MAAC Standings, Siena (16-11, 9-9) moved into sole possession of fifth place in the league with just two regular season games remaining. Both Niagara and Rider, who play each other tomorrow in Western New York, now each sit a half game back of the Saints. The top-five seeds in the MAAC Tournament, hosted by Siena at the Times Union Center, receive First Round byes.

Siena got big plays down the stretch from both Hetzke and sophomore guard Emia Willingham to finish off their 11th road win of the season, which is tied for the third most nationally. Hetzke drained a three from straight on to put the Saints up five with 1:42 to play and Willingham got a steal and score to make it a six-point game with 52 seconds left.

Fairfield (12-14, 11-6) led 27-26 following a back and forth first half, but the second half would belong to the Saints.

Siena came out from the intermission playing an inspired, half court trapping defense that gave the Stags fits. The Saints held Fairfield scoreless for 8:23 and without a field goal for 9:59 to spark a 13-1 run and take their biggest lead of the game, 41-30 with 9:03 to go.

The Stags rallied, scoring the next 10 points to pull as close as 41-40 with 5:24 remaining, but the Saints would never relinquish the lead and made all the big plays late to snap Fairfield's six-game home win streak. Siena held Fairfield to just 25% (5-20) shooting in the second half in earning just their second win in the last 10 meetings against their longtime rivals.

Casey Smith was the lone Stag in double figures with 11 points, while Kristine Miller and Kristin Schatzlein added eight points apiece for Fairfield which had entered play winners of five of their previous six.

Siena once again dominated the glass, out-rebounding their opponent for the 28th time in the last 29 games, holding a 35-22 edge which translated to a 13-4 advantage in second chance points.

Willingham finished with seven points off the bench and junior forward Symone Kelly and sophomore captain Meghan Donohue added six points apiece for Siena which has won five of the last six meetings between the programs in Bridgeport. Fairfield has won the last four contests on their primary home court, Alumni Hall, on the University's campus.

Looking to finish the regular season strong, the Saints return to the Capital Region for their final two home games at the ARC. Siena hosts Canisius Friday night for a 7 p.m. tip.