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LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena Women's Basketball fell 80-76 in their home opener to Hartford. Sophomore Jackie Benitez scored a career-high 30 points for the Saints.

In a see-saw battle with 12 ties and nine times, Hartford's Lindsey Abed hit the game-winning, go-ahead three with 23 seconds left in regulation. Benitez 30 points were a game-high with six three-pointers, just one trey away from tying her career record that she set against Syracuse in the season opener. Besides those six from behind the arc, Benitez added four field goals for a career-high 10 field goals made.

Kollyns Scarbrough was three boards away from a double-double, chipping in 16 points and seven rebounds. Denisha Petty-Evans tied her career-high five assists for Siena. Meghan Donohue added 15 points for the Saints, just one point shy of her career-high.

Hartford was led by Deanna Mayza with 19 points, 15 of them coming from behind the arc. Janelle Harrison added 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds, just three boards away from a double-double. In addition to Abed's impressive 16 point performance, the forward led the Hawks on the other end of the floor with a game-high six steals.

Right from tip-off the game proved to be tight. After a quick exchange of points, the Hawks (3-1) went on a 11-2 run to take a 15-6 lead. Siena continued to battle and came out down just 20-14 after 10 minutes. Hartford scored eight points off of second chance points.

Siena started the second quarter on a 7-0 run which gave them a 21-20 lead. Again points would be exchanged between the two teams. The Hawks went up by five, but Siena came right back into it off a three by Benitez to take a 34-33 at the half. Siena scored 14 of their 20 points in the second quarter off of Hartford turnovers.

Even when Siena went up by seven in the third quarter, the Hawks would come right back in it. Siena outscored Hartford 26-24 in the third quarter. The Green and Gold held onto a 60-57 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest.

After back-and-forth action for the majority of the fourth quarter, Hartford took a 75-73 lead with under a minute to go. With 45 seconds on the clock, Donohue hit a big and-one-layup to tie the game. The senior sank the free throw to complete the three-point play and put the Saints up 76-75. The Hawks took control of the game with just 23 seconds left, and Abed hit her second straight three to give Hartford a 78-76 lead. With time winding down, the Saints had a good look down in the post, but Abed came out with a steal that propelled an insurance layup from Janelle Harrison to take the game 80-76.

The Saints continue their two-game homestand against Colgate on Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.