The Siena Saints would begin their 2021-22 campaign with a heart breaker as the Green and Gold would fall to the Binghamton Bearcats by a final score of 59-55 on the road Tuesday evening.
 
The Saints received a 16 point game from fifth year Rayshel Brown, who scored eight of her 16 points from the free throw line. Brown also added three steals, as did senior Margo Peterson. Peterson would fall one point and one rebound from a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Senior Amari Anthony also finished in double figures with 12 points and eight rebounds. The Saints would shoot 27.5 percent from the field, including a 7.7 percent mark in the fourth quarter.
 
Binghamton got a 23-point night from Denai Bowman, as her mark led all scorers. Bowman filled the stat sheet, recording five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. Zahra Barnes would be the other Bearcat in double-figures with 10 points. Clare Traeger snagged 10 rebounds.
 
Despite a slow start offensively, the Saints were able to hold down the Bearcats defensively through the first half. After Binghamton opened up a 10 point lead in the first quarter, Siena charged back and only allowed eight points in the second quarter en route to taking a lead at the half after a steal and fast break bucket from Peterson. With that, Siena would take a 26-25 lead into halftime.
 
The Bearcats would find some hot shooting early in the second half, as the Saints continued to struggle putting the ball in the basket. Halfway through the third, Binghamton would have a 16-0 run to build up to a 12 point lead. That run would stop as the Saints first three pointer of the game courtesy of Anthony broke up the run with 3:46 remaining in the quarter. That allowed the Saints to bring things back within a point at the end of the third 43-42, finishing on a 14-2 run.
 
In the fourth, the Saints jostled for the lead on multiple occasions, finally pulling ahead with 6:01 remainining after a pair of made free throws from Jackson. However, the Bearcats would quickly take back the lead just 30 seconds later, and would open up a four point lead with under three minutes to play. Brown would make things interesting, going to the free throw line and pulling the Saints back within two points with 23 seconds to play, but the Bearcats would prevail though the final buzzer.
 
The Saints return to action on Thursday, Nov. 11 when they head west to take on St. Bonaventure at 7 p.m.