Final Stats

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Senior captain Tehresa Coles and freshman forward Margot Hetzke scored 16 points apiece as Siena Women's Basketball held off Monmouth 65-58 at the ARC. With the win the Saints took over sole possession of fifth place in the MAAC Standings.

Siena (14-9, 7-7) led for the final 27 minutes and by as many as 15 points with 13:36 remaining. Monmouth (9-14, 5-9) rallied to within as close as two points with a 1:40 to play, but the Saints got key stops and made their free throws down the stretch to sweep the season series from the Hawks.

Siena overcame a slow start in which they missed eight of their first 10 shots and committed eight turnovers in scoring just four points over the first nine and a half minutes. Monmouth would lead by as many as nine points midway through the first half before the Saints came alive.

The Saints responded by connecting on nine of their next 13 shots to ignite a 23-4 run over the next 6:15 to claim a 10-point lead and ultimately take a 31-26 advantage at the break.

Siena came out flying out of the lockerroom, opening the half on a 12-2 run to open their biggest lead of the game six and a half minutes into the final stanza. But that's when Monmouth sharpshooter Sarah Olson woke up.

The Saints had limited Olson, who scored a career-high 27 points including seven threes two weeks ago in a 54-52 Siena win, to just three points on one shot in 17 first half minutes. But Olson would connect on five straight shots including a perfect 4-4 from three-point range in scoring 14 straight points to rally Monmouth within 50-44 with 6:46 to go.

Siena would keep the Hawks at arm's length over the next few minutes, but Monmouth made one final run, 8-2, to rally as close as 60-58 on a Christina Mitchell layup with just 1:40 remaining.

Following a missed free throw by the Saints on the ensuing possession, the Hawks would have a chance to tie or take the lead. With Monmouth looking to set up Olson once again, the Saints switched their defensive stalwart Coles to guard the Hawks' star. With Olson driving, Coles picked her pocket, was fouled and hit the clinching free throws as the Saints held on.

Free throws were a key for the Saints which shot 19-25 (76%) from the charity stripe to just 8-13 (61.5%) for the Hawks as Siena improved to a perfect 12-0 when shooting 70% or better from the free throw line this season.

Coles, who entered the day ranking 18th nationally in steals, added four more thefts on the afternoon to move within just four steals of Mary Gaudreau's '83 all-time program record of 281.

Hetzke added six rebounds and two blocks for the Saints, while senior guard Ida Krogh contributed 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals for Siena which limited Monmouth to just 33.3% shooting. The Saints are now 11-0 this season when holding their opponent under 40% from the field.

Olson finished with a game-high 22 points for Monmouth, while Amanda Offenback added a career-high 12 points for the Hawks which have now lost 10 of their last 14.

Siena closes out its stretch where it plays five of six at home when the Saints host Niagara for the 15th Annual Pink Zone Game which seeks to raise money and awareness for Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer (CRAAB!). Tip-off is Thursday night at 7 p.m. on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. For more information on the Pink Zone Game including how to get involved and support the cause, visit sienasaints.com/pinkzone.