With only a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Siena Saints turned on the jets and took off on offense, scoring 28 points in the final frame in a 66-45 victory over the Iona Gaels. Siena used a 20-6 run midway through the quarter, as well as got to the free throw line 19 times making 17 free throws as the difference in the ballgame.

The Saints (10-13, 6-6) were led by a 19-point performance from junior Maddie Sims, as she went 8-for-13 from the field and added five rebounds and three assists. Freshman Lala Watts had her best game of her collegiate career to this point, as she poured in 11 points with four rebounds. Junior Sabina Piper and sophomore Marilena Gerostergiou each collected 10 points as well, as Gerostergiou added team-highs in rebounds with seven, and assists with four.

Iona (1-22, 0-11) was led by the hot hand of Monica Barefield, who topped the Gaels with 14 points and three rebounds. Shyan Mwai was also in double-figures for Iona, putting up 12 points and a pair of steals.

It would be the Lala Watts show in the first quarter, as she tossed in the Saints' first nine points of the ballgame after Iona started the game with a 6-0 lead. Watts' nine points would stand up after the first quarter, as Iona led 12-9. Other Saints got in the effort in the second quarter, as Siena hung up 17 points in the frame and took a slight 36-35 lead into the locker room at the half.

The Green and Gold struggled in the third quarter despite outscoring the Gaels. They would shoot a game-low 26.7 percent from the floor, but took a three-point lead into the final 10 minutes.

Things would fall into place in the fourth, as Sims scored 11 of her 19 in the quarter. Siena had six different scorers in the frame. An early score from senior Deja Rawls got the ball rolling in the quarter, as the Saints poured out with a 20-6 run over the first five minutes. That would give them all the cushion they needed, closing out the back end of the quarter to take the victory.

Siena took advantage of the paint down the stretch, outscoring the Gaels down near the hoop 40-22, also outscoring Iona in points off turnovers and second chance points.

The Saints return to the floor on Saturday, Feb. 9 when they take on the Monmouth Hawks at the Alumni Recreation Center. Siena will be celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day, with tip off slated for 2 p.m.