LOUDONVILLE, NY—Siena Women's Basketball will look to bounce back from its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) loss of the season Saturday afternoon when the Saints welcome the Merrimack Warriors to UHY Center for a 2 p.m. tip.
 
Saturday's contest also serves as Siena's annual food drive game. Fans are encouraged to donate five canned goods to the Regional Food Bank; in return, donors will receive a voucher for $5 off a ticket to a future home game this season. Cash donations will also be accepted. Collection bins for canned goods and personal hygiene items will be located in the UHY Center lobby through the start of the second half, and fans may also contribute via Venmo. For every dollar raised, the Regional Food Bank provides four meals to individuals in need across 23 counties in Northeastern New York.
 
Siena (6-8, 4-1 MAAC) aims to get back on track after a narrow 61-59 setback at Rider on Thursday. Despite the loss, the Saints continued to establish themselves as one of the league's most physical teams, securing more than 45 rebounds for the fifth time this season. Rebounding figures to be a key storyline Saturday, as Siena and Merrimack rank first and second, respectively, in the MAAC on the glass.
 
Offensively, Nicole Melious extended her double-digit scoring streak to four straight games — and six of the last seven — with 12 points against the Broncs. Jamariah Turner also moved within striking distance of a milestone, as the graduate student enters Saturday's contest needing just one point to reach 1,000 for her collegiate career.
 
Winners of four straight games, Merrimack arrives in Loudonville with a 7-7 overall record and a 4-1 mark in league play. The Warriors are led by Mia Fiore's 13.8 points per game, while four Merrimack players average double figures. Madison Roman, a one-time MAAC Player of the Week, anchors the interior and ranks atop the conference with 9.4 rebounds per game. As a team, Merrimack ranks just behind Siena in scoring offense (67.4), scoring defense (66.9), and rebounds per game (38.4).
 
Saturday marks just the fourth all-time meeting between the programs, making Merrimack Siena's least-frequent MAAC opponent. Despite the limited history, the series has already featured Siena's most recent overtime contest (Nov. 28, 2023) and a MAAC Tournament matchup. This will also be Merrimack's third consecutive regular-season trip to Loudonville, as the Saints have yet to play in North Andover, Mass. Merrimack holds a 2-1 edge in the series entering Saturday.
 
Emmanuel Berbari and Brian Rubino will have the call on ESPN+, with Joe Lemery reporting from the sidelines. Joe Puccio and Steve Amedio will handle radio coverage on WVCR 88.3 FM. Tickets, live stats, and courtside X updates are available through the corresponding links.
 
Following Saturday's matchup, Siena returns to the road for an early-morning tilt at Sacred Heart on Thursday, Jan. 14. Tip-off from the William H. Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center in Fairfield, Conn., is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.