LOUDONVILLE, NY — For the second time in six days, Siena Women's Basketball will prepare for a pre-noon tipoff. The Saints travel to Fairfield, CT, on Wednesday to face Sacred Heart at 11:30 a.m. at the William H. Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center.
 
Siena continues to establish itself as one of the MAAC's most disruptive defensive teams. By forcing Merrimack into 25 turnovers on Jan. 10, the Saints recorded their fifth game this season with at least 25 takeaways. Siena now ranks 19th nationally in turnovers forced per game (22.4) and has been even more effective in conference play, forcing MAAC opponents into 25.3 turnovers per game.
 
Offensively, Siena has found a reliable rhythm behind a productive backcourt. Nicole Melious has surged since the start of conference play, averaging 15.5 points per game in MAAC action, a figure that joins Francesca Schiro's 17.2 points per game among the league's top 10 scorers. With consistent production from the duo, the Saints rank second in the MAAC in scoring during conference games, averaging 77.8 points per game. Melious has been especially efficient of late, averaging nearly 17 points per game over her last five contests while shooting 48 percent from the field.
 
Projected to finish 12th in the MAAC Preseason Poll, 13th-year head coach Jessica Mannetti's Pioneers have exceeded early expectations, entering the contest with a 4-2 conference record and a 6-9 mark overall. Sacred Heart is led by Preseason All-MAAC Third Team selection Amelia Wood, who averages 14.7 points per game. The Pioneers rank eighth in the league in scoring at 57.5 points per game, while their defense sits fourth in the MAAC, allowing just 63.1 points per game. Sacred Heart relies less on the 3-point shot, ranking near the bottom of the conference at 3.9 made threes per game, but has remained competitive on the glass, ranking second in the MAAC with a +1.3 rebounding margin.
 
Wednesday's game marks the 13th meeting between the Saints and Pioneers and the third as conference opponents. Siena holds a 7-5 advantage in the all-time series, though Sacred Heart owns a 4-2 edge at home. Siena earned its second-ever road win in the series last season, a 79-59 victory on Jan. 16, 2025, as part of a season sweep. The Saints enter Wednesday riding a three-game winning streak in the series and can claim the longest winning streak between the programs with a victory.
 
Jacob Kronberg and Edona Thaqi will have the call on ESPN+, while Joe Puccio and Steve Amedio will provide the local radio broadcast on WVCR 88.3 FM. Live stats and courtside updates will be available through the corresponding links.
 
Following Wednesday's contest, Siena returns home to host Saint Peter's at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17.