The Siena Women's Basketball team looks to begin another winning streak on Saturday afternoon, as they finish their Western New York swing at the Koessler Athletic Center against the Canisius Golden Griffins at 1 p.m.
The Saints five game winning streak came to a close on Thursday evening, as the Green and Gold were defeated by the Niagara Purple Eagles by a final score of 82-69 at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles, who rank second in the NCAA in forced turnovers, caused 32 total Siena turnovers in the game.
Niagara got a 23-point, seven steal effort from Angel Parker. Her sister, freshman Aaliyah Parker scored 20 points with seven rebounds and seven steals. Senior Ally Harr added 16 points on 3-for-8 shooting from behind the arc.
Siena received a pair of 21-point performances from
Rayshel Brown and
Margo Peterson. The total for Brown would tie her career-high in a Siena uniform, while Peterson would go 3-for-5 from long distance and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Freshman
Imani Harris chipped in with eight points and eight assists.
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 against Fairfield last Saturday is tied for the second-most in a single game in the MAAC this season. Canisius has hit 11 four times, while Quinnipiac hit 16 earlier this season against Hartford.
Siena and Canisius meet for the 80th time, with the Saints holding a 54-25 advantage. The Saints have won 12 of the last 13 meetings, including five straight. Siena's 54 wins over Canisius stands as the most wins over any opponent in program history. Head Coach
Jim Jabir is 6-2 all-time against the Golden Griffins, with a 4-2 mark while head coach at Siena.
The last time the two teams met was in the 2020 MAAC Tournament. The Saints overcame a 13-point deficit as the sixth seeded Saints rallied past No. 11 Canisius 58-48 in the first round at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Brown posted 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Third Team All-MAAC selection Sabrina Piper scored 16 points and added nine rebounds.
Canisius (2-16, 0-9) saw freshman Cheyenne Stubbs score nine points, haul in seven rebounds and record eight steals, while fellow first-year player Rhay Porter blocked five shots, tying Jen Lennox for the Canisius Division I freshman record for blocks (28), in a 62-53 loss to Quinnipiac on Thursday. Stubbs' seven rebounds and eight steals were both season highs for the Bradenton, Fla., native. Sophomore Dani Haskell scored a team-high 16 points, while freshman Athina Lexa chipped in 10 points for the Golden Griffins.
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 12:30 p.m. locally on 88.3 FM The Saint with
Joe Mixie and Steve Amedio on the call. 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.
