NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Siena Women's Basketball's strong second half comeback attempt came up short at the hands of the Iona Gaels (6-8, 4-0 MAAC), who handed the Saints (6-7, 3-1 MAAC) their first league loss of the season with a 82-75 score from Hynes Athletics Center on Saturday afternoon. 
 
Teresa Seppala netted 21 points to reach the 20-point mark for her fourth time in five games. Myriam Traore had a career high 14 points, while Anajah Brown notched double figures with 11. Brown also led the team with eight boards, and registered a career high five assists. Eszter Turi dished out a career high four assists to go with six rebounds. 
 
Ella Fajardo and Judith Gomez both netted career highs of 20 points each for the Gaels who, as a team, set single-game high in points and field goal percentage (.517) in the win. 
 
Fueled by 10 points from Ella Fajardo over the first four minutes of play, Iona jumped out to a quick 12-2 advantage. The work of Brown and Ahniysha Jackson ended the Gaels run, and put Siena back within six points at 12-6 at the under-five timeout. Iona finished the first shooting 50 percent from the floor, as well as from three, while holding Siena to 35.3 to lead 23-14 entering the second. 
 
The Gaels continued to shoot at an efficient rate through the first half of the second quarter, going 7-9 from the floor to extend their lead to 20 points with just under five to play in the half. Behind five Seppala points and four from KB Hadley, the Saints ended the half on a high note - taking a 13-9 run into the locker room with the score 55-37 in favor of Iona. 
 
Siena put together its finest quarter of the game up to the point in the third, out-scoring the Gaels by three while holding them to their lowest shooting percentage at 40.0. Seppala netted seven of the Saints' 16 quarter points, helping cut the team's deficit to 68-53 going into the fourth. 
 
Despite another strong shooting quarter from the Saints, Iona answered back with both teams going 5-10 from the field until under two minutes to play. In fact, the Saints held the Gaels scoreless from the 7:01 mark until they hit a pair of free throws with 43 seconds to play. The free throws ultimately put the Saints' comeback to rest
 
Siena is back in action at home on Thur., Jan. 11 for its annual Kids Day game. Tip-off from the UHY Center is set for 11 a.m.
 
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.