LOUDONVILLE, NY - With former Siena Women's Basketball players, coaches, and managers in attendance at the UHY Center Saturday afternoon, the 2024-25 edition of the Saints sent the former's home with a thrilling 79-68 win over the visiting Iona Gaels. 
 
Ahniysha Jackson's season-high 27 points total came on nearly 70% shooting from the floor (9-13), as well as 3-5 from three, and a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe. Teresa Seppala dropped 18 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3PT, 6-6 FT), while Myriam Traore provided spark off the bench with 14 points on 6-8 shooting from on the field, as well as seven rebounds. 
 
Excluding the team's 5-5 performance from the line against UMass earlier this season, Siena's 88% shooting from the free throw line was its highest in a game this season. 
 
Following a pre-game ceremony in which she was honored with her commemorative 1,000th-point ball, Jackson paced the Siena offense with six of the team's first eight points - doing so on 3-4 shooting from the floor. At the same time, the Gaels - led by Zoey Ward (six) and Ella Fajardo (five) - started the game 4-6 from the floor, and 3-4 from three. 
 
That didn't faze Jackson, however, as the graduate student nearly out-scored Iona herself by the end of the first - draining 16 on 7-8 shooting from the field, and 2-2 from three, to help give the Saints a 25-20 edge entering the second. 
 
The likes of Seppala, Traore, and Peppi Lohko picked up where Jackson left off to open the second, while the Siena defense smothered the Iona offense over the first three minutes of the second quarter - holding the Gaels to 1-7 from the floor. The Green and Gold kept Iona to under 10 points by the end of the quarter despite the Gaels attempting five more shots (14-9) to help carry a 41-29 lead into the break. 
 
Capitalizing on six Siena turnovers in the third, Iona came back to come within three points entering the fourth. Of the five extra shot attempts the Gaels took then Siena did in the frame they made four - including a pair from deep - as the Saints hung to a 55-52 lead entering the final 10 minutes. 
 
Iona jumped out to its first lead since the first quarter after Mya Zaccagnini opened the fourth with back-to-back three-pointers. Not shying away, hustle plays on the offensive end by Lohko, Traore and Seppala on near consecutive possessions helped deliver Siena seven straight points, putting the team back up 62-58. 
 
Following Seppala's and-one conversation, Traore drained a three while Aniya Hooker and Jackson helped deliver the finishing touches. 

Siena remains home for the program's 24th annual Pink Zone game at 6 p.m. on Thur., Jan. 30 against Marist. The Saints will once again partner with The Donna Foundation, and honor survivors and thrivers prior to the game. Tickets can be purchased here.
 
This post-game recap is proudly presented by The Brothers that just do Gutters, a proud partner of Siena Athletics. Trust the team that always comes through—on the court and for your home.