LOUDONVILLE, NY – For the first time since the 2015-16 season, the Siena Saints women's basketball program has a 2-0 start to conference play as they took down the Iona Gaels at home in the Alumni Recreation Center on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 59-47. Much of the Saints success on the afternoon came from their ability to get to the free throw line.

Siena would reach the free throw line 29 times, making 27 of their attempts for a season-high 93.1 percent from there. It would be the highest free throw percentage in a game since Dec. 12, 2016 when the Saints went 15-for-16 for a 93.8 percent clip at Sacred Heart.

The Saints were led by a combined 31 points from juniors Sabrina Piper and Maddie Sims. Piper would go 6-for-10 from the field for a team-high 16 points, along with four rebounds, a block, steal, and an assist. Sims would snag 15 points with a team-high seven rebounds, three steals, two blocks, and an assist. Also putting up double-digit points for the second straight game was redshirt senior Aaliyah Jones, as she scored 11 points, which included seven points from the free throw line. Classmate Joella Gibson also chipped in on the defensive side with a team-high four steals.

For Iona, Monica Barefield knocked down four three pointers en route to a 20 point performance, leading the Gaels. Barefield also added four rebounds, while Morgan Rachu chipped in with 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals as she struggled going just 1-for-10 from behind the three-point arc.

The Green and Gold held Iona without a basket until the 3:48 mark to play in the first quarter, as the Saints held a 7-3 lead early after scoring a trio of baskets in their first few possessions. That would balloon out to a 16-7 lead after the first 10 minutes. Siena would extend out to their biggest lead of the first half with 6:35 to play, as Piper hit a three-pointer to jump out to a 12-point lead, 28-16. It would be a 32-22 score as the game reached the halfway mark.

Offense was few, far, and in between in the third quarter as both sides combined for just 20 points. However, despite the frequent disruptions in the pace of play, Siena was able to take a 14 point lead into the fourth.

Iona was able to cut into the Saints lead, and bring their deficit back to single digits with 8:39 to play in the fourth. That would be as close as they would get, as Siena would turn up the score on a 9-1 run and take a 17 point lead after a layup from Sims for their biggest lead of the day. The Green and Gold were able to make their free throws down the stretch, as they hung on for the double-digit victory.

Siena outscored Iona in the paint 20-14, but Iona was able to collect 26 points off turnovers, and held Siena without any points on second chances or the fast break.

The Saints return to the floor on Friday, Jan. 11 when they play host to Manhattan for their annual Kids' Day. Tip off will go up early, with the game getting underway at 11 a.m.