LOUDONVILLE, NY – Sports returned to the Siena campus Friday night after 273 days without competition, as the women's basketball team took to the hardwood against the Fairfield Stags. Despite a 19-point performance from newcomer Isis Young, the Saints would fall to the Stags by a final score of 68-56.  
 
Young's performance was the standout number on the page for the Green and Gold, as senior Rayshel Brown provided 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Junior Tobulayefa Watts scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds and two blocks. All seven Saints that saw the floor on the night scored, as the Green and Gold spread the wealth.
 
Fairfield was led by a 21-point night from Sam Lewis, who knocked down 7-of-12 shots from the floor, including five from long range. Katie Armstrong tossed in 18 points, while Lou Lopez-Senechal and Callie Cavanaugh also finished in double-digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
Despite a hot opening clip from the Stags, Siena hung in early thanks to some big early three pointers from freshman Ahniysha Jackson and Young. The Saints would take 10 three-point attempts in the first quarter, and only trailed 16-13 after 10 minutes of play.
 
The offense took things inside the three-point arc, as Siena would go 10-for-17 from the floor, including just one three pointer on three attempts in the second quarter. The defense also stepped up, forcing Fairfield to just 33.3 percent from the field. With the low post play and outscoring Fairfield 14-6 in the paint during the quarter, Siena would open up a lead as large as nine points with 1:37 to play in the first half. An 11-2 run would get them to that point, capped by solid jumper from sophomore Sevval Istanbullouglu. The Green and Gold would hold a 34-28 lead going into the half.
 
The wheels would fall off for the Saints in the third quarter, as they struggled to find the twine and only scoring nine points on the quarter. Fairfield would put up a 19-4 run from the end of the second quarter into the third, gaining a quick lead they would not surrender. The Stags would gain their largest lead in the fourth quarter, as a three-point bucket from Lewis gave Fairfield a 12 point lead and would cap their night offensively.
 
The Saints return to action tomorrow night at 7 PM when they play host to the Stags once more to close their opening weekend of hoops at the Alumni Recreation Center. Fans can tune in via ESPN+ or listen on the radio to 88.3 The Saint.