The hottest team in the MAAC returns to the floor this week in Western New York, beginning their Western New York trip with the Niagara Purple Eagles in Thursday at 6 p.m. looking to continue their five-game winning streak.
The surging Saints secured their fifth straight win in a span of 12 just days – and their biggest victory yet – knocking off first-place Fairfield 69-56 at the UHY Center this past Saturday afternoon.
Fifth-year
Selena Philoxy posted a dominant double-double with a career-high 20 points to go along with 12 rebounds and six assists in an eye-opening performance for Siena (5-10, 5-2), which led for 38:19 and by as many as 16 points in handing MAAC frontrunner Fairfield (10-6, 7-1) its first league loss. The Stags had entered play winners of seven straight, their final five of which had come by an average margin of 20.6 points.
Margo Peterson contributed 16 points on the strength of five threes for Saints, which shot a season-best 11-22 from beyond the arc.
Anja Knoflach added 12 points, and
Rayshel Brown rounded out four double figure scorers with 10 points and a career-best seven assists for Siena who dished out a season-high 20 as a team.
The Saints are currently the top scoring defense and three-point field goal defense in the MAAC, while they rank second in the league in steals to – Niagara. Siena's 11 three-pointers made is tied for the second-most in a single game in the MAAC this season, as Canisius has hit 11 four times, while Quinnipiac hit 16 earlier this season against Hartford.
Siena and Niagara meet for the 83
rd time, with the Saints holding a 50-32 advantage. Head Coach
Jim Jabir is 5-1 all-time against the Purple Eagles, with all six games coming while at Siena. The last time he coached against the Purple Eagles was his last victory against them. It came on 2/26/90 in a 113-80 win at Niagara. The 113 points are the most points scored in a single game in program history.
The last time the two teams met was last season in the quarterfinals of last season's MAAC Tournament in Atlantic City, as the Saints knocked off the Purple Eagles 74-65. Graduate student
Isis Young and senior
Rayshel Brown combined for 47 total points as Siena controlled the pace, outscoring Niagara 24-6 on the fast break.
Young had a healthy stat line, putting up 26 points on 8-for-17 shooting from the field including a trio of three pointers and four assists. Brown tied her career-high in points with 21, also making it her highest total in a Siena uniform. Junior
Amari Anthony would contribute 14 total points, while senior
Marilena Gerostergiou would add eight rebounds.
Niagara (6-10, 3-5) is coming off a 1-2 showing during its most recent road trip. Junior Angel Parker leads the Purple Eagles in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per game, while also pacing Niagara in steals and assists with 4.5 and 5.2 per contest. Her sister, freshman Aaliyah Parker earned her third MAAC Rookie of the Week award this past Monday. In three games last week, Aaliyah averaged 16.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.7 steals off the bench for the Purple and White. The Purple Eagles lead the MAAC in steals (227), steals per game (14.2), and turnovers forced per game (25.69). Angel is the nation's leader in steals per game, averaging 4.53 takeaways per contest.
Fans can catch the game on ESPN3, which can be accessed by clicking the corresponding link, on smartphones and tablets via the ESPN app, and on televisions through Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Playstation, and Xbox One.
Pregame coverage tips off at 5:30 p.m. locally on 88.3 FM The Saint with
Joe Mixie and Steve Amedio on the call, and will be preceded by a special edition of the Siena Basketball Coaches Show. Complimentary online audio of the broadcast can also be accessed by clicking the corresponding link through iHeart Radio.
Social media updates will be provided courtside throughout the day by following the Saints' official twitter page @Siena_WBB. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #MarchOn, #SienaSaints, and #MAACHoops.
