LOUDONVILLE, NY — Siena Women's Basketball dropped a 61-52 decision to Iona Thursday evening at the UHY Center. With the loss, the Saints move to 11-15 overall and 9-8 in MAAC play, while the Gaels improve to 17-11 overall and 10-8 in league action.
 
Siena controlled the paint throughout, outscoring Iona 40-18 inside, and led 19-14 after one quarter. However, Iona used a strong second quarter to take a 37-34 lead into halftime and made key plays late to secure the win.
 
Kaiya Rain Tucker led the Saints with 16 points on 8-of-16 shooting and added four blocks. Nicole Melious chipped in nine points and two assists, while Alden Yergey recorded six points, five rebounds, and four assists. Caydence Hadley added five points and three rebounds.
 
Siena established its interior presence early, scoring consistently at the rim and converting in transition to build its first-quarter advantage. The Saints reclaimed the lead midway through the second quarter on a Melious fast-break layup off a Yergey assist, but Iona closed the half on a run to take a three-point edge into the break.
 
The Saints responded in the third. A Tucker layup and a three-pointer from Genevive Wedemeyer helped Siena regain the lead, and Tucker later tied the game at 42-42 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Iona opened the final frame with a key three-pointer and capitalized at the free-throw line down the stretch to create separation. Siena pulled within three midway through the quarter but could not overcome the deficit as the Gaels secured the nine-point victory.
 
Siena returns to action Saturday, Feb. 21, hosting Fairfield at 2 p.m. at the UHY Center.