LOUDONVILLE, NY - Despite a shaky start through the opening 10 minutes of the game, Siena Women's Basketball played the remaining 30 with a short memory - out-scoring the visiting Sacred Heart (SHU) Pioneers 52-31 through the final three quarters of play in its 66-51 win from the UHY Center on Saturday evening. 
 
Anajah Brown had one of her finest outings of the season for the Saints, who improved to 14-10, and 11-4 in the MAAC with the win. The senior dropped a season-high 23 points (9-15 FG, 5-5 FT) and grabbed seven rebounds while rejecting a career-high six blocks. 
 
Teresa Seppala added 17 points, nine of which came from the free throw line. She also led the team with eight rebounds, and tied Brown with a team-high four assists. KB Hadley added seven points and four rebounds, while Myriam Traore contributed five points and seven boards. 
 
Ny'Ceara Pryor led SHU (6-17, 2-12 MAAC) and all scores with 24 points. The Pioneers were limited to just 30.5% shooting from the floor in the game (18-59), as well as 15.4% from three (2-15. 
 
It was a series of runs early in the first quarter. Following a quick 4-0 Siena lead, SHU scored the next eight points which sparked a 9-0 run by the Saints to make it 13-9 midway through. Fouls became problematic for both sides, as each team found themselves in or near the bonus by the under-five media timeout. 
 
Siena went the last three minutes without a point and, with 10 total turnovers committed in the quarter that led to 11 Pioneer points, fell behind 20-14 entering the second. 
 
The Saints scoreless streak reached just over six minutes until Seppala was sent to the line to shoot three at the 6:24 mark in the third. The junior hit all three, extending her streak to 41 consecutive free throws made, and cut the team's deficit to 22-17. She later missed one in the quarter, however, ending her streak at 42. 
 
Following a SHU bucket, an Ana Conde layup and Traore three put Siena within striking distance at 24-22. Siena's total run stood at 13-4 to end the half, allowing the team to go into the break holding a slight 27-24 edge. 
 
Siena came out of the break sharper offensively, cashing in on four of its first six looks from the field. On the opposite end of the floor, the defense held the Pioneers to 2-8 through the opening five minutes of the third to help grow the lead to 36-28. The Saints went on to have their best shooting quarter of the night at 77.8%, aiding in a 47-34 lead entering the fourth. The Saints continued to stifle SHU defensively throughout the fourth quarter, putting a stop to the Pioneers making any dent in their deficit. 
 
Siena readies for its trip to Western New York, starting with a Thursday night clash against Niagara at 6 p.m. on Feb. 20.
 
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.