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LAFAYETTE, LA. - Ida Krogh's desperation 23-foot game-winning three-point attempt at the buzzer clanged off the back of the iron as Siena Women's Basketball came up just short in the Women's Basketball Invitational Championship Game in a 52-50 loss at Louisiana. Siena's storybook season concludes with a final record of 22-13 as the Saints' finished with a 13-win improvement from last season, tied for the second best nationally.

"We have nothing to be ashamed of," said head coach Ali Jaques. "It's really tough. We'll be back next year and we'll be fun to watch."

Siena trailed for more than 37 minutes and by as many as 14 points with 12:15 to play. But like their motto all season long, when life puts you in tough situations the Saints didn't say "why me," but "try me."

Siena's ever-resilient Magnificent Seven responded with an 18-3 run over 10:04 and, following a pair of Tehresa Coles free throws with 1:44 to play, took its first lead since the opening minute at 48-47.

But on the ensuing possession Lafayette native and Louisiana (23-12) senior reserve Robbie Brown ended the Ragin' Cajuns' 11-minute field goal drought with a huge three to put the hosts back up 50-48 with 1:16 to play.

Siena had its chances late including down just a point with under 10 seconds to go, but Brown again came up clutch getting a steal and would hit a free throw to extend the Louisiana lead to two with 1.3 seconds remaining.

Needing to go the length of the court, sophomore captain Meghan Donohue telegraphed a home run ball in between two shorter defenders to Krogh who caught, turned, took a dribble and fired but came up just off the mark.

Coles, who was named to the WBI All-Tournament Team, scored 13 points and swiped two steals in a solid final effort donning the Green and Gold. Already the Saints' all-time steals leader, Coles' theft which directly led to the go-ahead free throws late, marked her 98th of the year in setting a new single-season record.

Donohue added 13 points and Krogh contributed eight points in her final collegiate game for the Saints which ended their improbable season winners of eight of their last 10 contests. Despite being forced to dress just seven players over the final 30 games and being predicted to finish 10th of 11 teams in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll following a nine-win season last year, the Saints achieved their first winning season in 11 years and most victories in a dozen seasons.

The first team in the MAAC's 33-year history to play for a national postseason tournament championship, the Saints faced an uphill battle throughout against an aggressive, pressing Louisiana team playing in front of a raucous crowd.

The Ragin' Cajuns asserted their style from the get-go and opened the game on a 14-4 run in leading by as many as 12 points in the opening stanza. Louisiana, which entered the game ranked fifth nationally in turnover margin, forced Siena into 12 first half turnovers leading to 17 points as the Ragin' Cajuns took a 34-24 lead into the break.

Louisiana maintained its double-digit lead into the second half and took as large as a 14-point lead, 44-30 with 12:15 remaining before the Saints made their run.

Keke Veal led all scorers with 20 points for Louisiana which finishes 12-1 in non-conference play with their only defeat coming at the hands of then 20th ranked Mississippi State.

While Siena came up just short in writing the perfect ending to their storybook season, the Saints were successful as Coach Jaques recently noted in turning a program around, changing a lockerroom, changing what's expected and changing expectations.