ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Siena Women's Basketball has begun to turn what was its first MAAC Semifinal appearance in five seasons last year into consistency in postseason runs. The No. 3 seed Saints (18-12, 14-6) fell in an 87-70 decision to No. 2 Niagara (20-12, 15-5) Friday evening the 2024 MAAC Semifinals at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Following a definitive 80-57 win over No. 6 Mount St. Mary's in the MAAC Quarterfinals on Thursday, the Green and Gold were swept away by the Purple Eagles' "Hurricane Havoc" style of play in the first quarter, being outscored, 34-11, with Niagara ending the period on a 29-5 run.

Having split the two regular season meetings with Niagara, the Saints trailed by 23 at the half, and outscored the designated home team by a point in the third quarter while ending the period on a 10-2 run. The Purple Eagles' relentless rebounding and disruption forced the Saints to not come within 20 points of the leaders until the 8:18 mark in the fourth quarter. Battling foul trouble, Siena strung together a 12-0 run in the game's final minutes, but could not make up the remaining difference.

Niagara netted 30 points off 25 Siena turnovers despite committing 22 themselves, with 12 of 13 different Purple Eagles to play in the game scoring at least two points. Siena out-shot Niagara from the field at 41.9 percent, but went just 2-11 from long range, while Niagara held a 53-34 rebound advantage and piled up 38 points off the bench.

Just a day removed from scoring exactly 22 points on her 22^nd birthday, lone senior Ahniysha Jackson led all scorers with 24 points, including going 10-17 from the field with a pair of triples. Sophomore Teresa Seppala added 17 for her ninth straight game in double-figures, while sophomore Elisa Mevius tallied her third straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, as well as six steals and four assists. The Rendsburg, Germany native moved into a tie for the fifth-most assists in single-season program history and into a split for 16^th all-time in career helps.

Sisters and Second Team All-MAAC selections Aaliyah Parker and Angel Parker led the Niagara offense with 13 points apiece, while Lore Porter and Amelia Strong added 12 points apiece and Saige Glover added 12 rebounds.

Jackson was later named to the 2024 MAAC All-Championship Team after averaging 23 points over two postseason contests. 

Wrapping up back-to-back MAAC Semifinal appearances for the first time in 11 years, the Saints also logged consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 20 years.