ITHACA, NY — Despite a strong second-half push, Siena Women's Basketball fell to Cornell University, 49-47, in a closely contested match at Newman Arena Wednesday.
 
Nicole Melious scored nine points for the Saints (0-7), converting three 3-pointers. Francesca Schiro contributed six points and recorded two steals. Kaiya Rain Tucker added a career-high seven points, collected seven rebounds, and posted two blocks. Genevive Wedemeyer tallied 10 points and recorded three assists. Siena's defense contributed with 8 steals and 4 blocks, but the Big Red (4-3) edged past with a late surge, despite both teams having equal leads throughout the game.
 
The game began with both teams trading initial baskets, as Tucker opened the scoring for Siena with a jumper at 8:07. The Big Red responded with a quick layup and free throw to take a 6–2 lead. Siena found momentum late in the quarter, sparked by Wedemeyer's offensive rebound and layup, followed by a tip-in from Tucker, narrowing the gap to 11–8. Tucker's late jumper pulled Siena within one point at 11–10, concluding the quarter with the Big Red holding a narrow lead.
 
Siena faced a challenging second quarter, initially keeping pace with the Big Red through Schiro's two successful free throws at 8:47 to tie the score at 12. The Big Red then responded with a series of points, extending their lead with a 6-0 run. Siena struggled to contain turnovers, contributing to the Big Red's momentum. Melious provided a late spark with a 3-pointer at 0:52, followed by a layup from Wedemeyer, but the quarter ended with Siena trailing 24-19.
 
Siena seized momentum in the third quarter, starting with Melious hitting a 3-pointer at 8:37 to close the gap to one point. Freeman's 3-pointer at 6:55 gave Siena their first lead of the quarter at 26-24. Schiro's layup at 6:10 extended the lead to 28-26, although the Big Red briefly regained a 31-28 advantage with a 3-pointer and a layup. In the final minutes, Jamariah Turner knocked down two free throws at 1:19 to pull Siena within one point, ending the quarter trailing the Big Red 33-32.
 
Siena took the lead in the fourth with a three-pointer by Wedemeyer at 7:48 and a subsequent layup by Caydence Hadley at 7:11, bringing the score to 37-35. Despite the Big Red's persistent efforts, a critical three-pointer by Melious at 2:47 put Siena ahead 45-44. In the final moments, Zyriah Price executed a tip-in at 0:20, giving Siena a temporary 47-46 lead. However, the Big Red's late jumper at 0:13 and free throws with under three seconds secured their victory.
 
Siena will return home to host New Haven on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at the UHY Center.