LOUDONVILLE, NY - Siena Women's Basketball continues its three-game road trip Monday evening with a test against a Big Ten foe. The Saints travel to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 7 p.m. at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, NJ.
Monday night marks the third consecutive season in which Siena will battle a Power Conference opponent, as well as the second in which the team is in the Big Ten Conference. The Saints look to secure their first win over a Power Conference team since defeating Xavier of the BIG EAST in the 2014-15 Women's Basketball Invitational Quarterfinals.
In Siena's latest outing, the Green & Gold committed fewer turnovers than its opponent for the first time this season. The Saints also tied a single-game high for the season with 17 offensive rebounds—three apiece by
Kaiya Rain Tucker and
Zyriah Price—while tying a single-game high with three blocks—two by Price and one by Tucker. Price led the team with nine rebounds in her second game back, tying Tucker (vs. Dartmouth) for a team single-game high this season.
Also playing in her second game this season last time out was
Valencia Fontenelle-Posson, who led the team with three steals to aid in the turnover margin. Her three swipes tied a team single-game high this season, joining
Francesca Schiro and
Jamariah Turner. The Saints will look to continue an upwards trend in forcing turnovers, as Rutgers ranks 239th nationally with a -1.33 margin.
After playing their first five games at home to open the season and posting a 4-1 record, the Scarlet Knights played their first contest away from Jersey Mike's Arena at Auburn on Nov. 20, resulting in a 51-46 loss. Rutgers has outscored opponents by 5.2 points (61.7-56.6) through six outings, with four players averaging double figures in scoring—led by Nene Ndiaye's 15.8. Rutgers has thrived getting to and converting from the line this year, ranking 15th nationally, averaging just under 27 free throw attempts per game, and tied for 35th making 17 per game. Following 12 years at Penn State, 16th-year head coach Coquese Washington is in her fourth year at Rutgers with a 37-65 record (246-234 overall).
Monday marks the second all-time meeting between Siena and Rutgers, with the Scarlet Knights coming away with a 59-47 win in the only previous meeting on Dec. 2, 2017, in Piscataway, NJ. Siena Athletics Hall of Fame member Kollyns Scarbrough led the charge the last time for the Saints with 10 points in the losing effort.
Dom Savino and Dominique Patrick will have the call on Big Ten+, while Joe Puccio and Steve Amedio will deliver the local broadcast on WVCR 88.3 FM. Tickets, live stats, and courtside X updates can be found by clicking on the corresponding links.
Siena will face a quick turnaround following Rutgers, remaining on the road to take on Cornell at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
