Extending their longest winning streak in three years, the Siena women's basketball team did a first in program history as well as they topped the three-time defending MAAC Champion Quinnipiac Bobcats by a final score of 68-60 on the road Saturday night. It would be the Saints first victory over the Bobcats in 15 previous tries.
 
Siena was led by an 18-point performance from junior Rayshel Brown, who went 8-for-12 from the field and added six rebounds. Senior Sabrina Piper put in 12 points with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Sophomore Amari Anthony scored 10 points hitting two threes and snagging five rebounds. Classmate Lala Watts continued her dominance in the paint with eight rebounds and four blocks.
 
Quinnipiac got a 14-point showing from Mackenzie DeWees, who also snagged 10 rebounds and a trio of steals for a double-double. Taylor Herd and Shaq Edwards each scored 10 points for the Bobcats, as both went 2-for-7 from distance. Paige Warfel chipped in with a team-high 12 rebounds.
 
The first half was a back and forth battle as Quinnipiac maintained a lead over the Saints for the first full 20 minutes. The Bobcats would grab a lead as big as nine, which would come with 2:08 left in the second quarter after a layup from Jaden Ward. But the Saints would charge back over the final two minutes, as they would cut the Quinnipiac lead to four as they entered the locker room at the half.
 
Anthony would kickstart the offense to start the second half, which would carry into the later part of the third quarter. After an Edwards three-pointer with 5:04 to play in the third, the Saints would turn the tables with a 10-2 run over the final half of the quarter and take a 48-47 lead into the final frame.
 
Siena would hit shots when it mattered in the fourth, starting with DeAnna Winston to open the fourth quarter for a four-point Saints lead. But with things knotted at 53-53 with 5:54 to play, Siena would go ahead for good as freshman Ashley Williamson hit her only bucket of the game moments later. The Saints would maintain their lead down the stretch despite Quinnipiac getting back within three points with 46 seconds to play.
 
Free throws would be the key down the stretch, as Siena would be consistent at the line over the final 40 seconds. Sealing and maintaining the lead would be a nice play from Watts, who blocked a three-point attempt by DeWees which would have brought Quinnipiac within a possession with 30 seconds to play.
 
The Green and Gold return to the floor on Thursday, Feb. 13 when they return home to the ARC to take on the Rider Broncs at 7 p.m. Thursday's game will be Siena's annual Pink Zone game, as the Saints will honor cancer survivors prior to tip-off.