LOUDONVILLE, NY — Siena Women's Basketball (11-16, 9-9 MAAC) dropped an 81-51 decision to MAAC-leading Fairfield University (24-4, 18-1 MAAC) Saturday at the UHY Center. Despite the final margin, the Saints controlled the glass, outrebounding the Stags 44-34, including a 15-8 edge on the offensive boards which translated into 30 points in the paint.
 
Fairfield, which recently received votes in the AP Top 25 poll, used a strong first half to maintain its grip atop the conference standings.
 
Siena also limited one of the nation's top perimeter shooting teams. The Saints held Fairfield to seven made three-pointers and just 23.3% from beyond the arc — well below the Stags' averages of 12.1 makes and 38.3% entering the game. It marked Fairfield's third-lowest three-point percentage of the season.
 
Azera Gates led Siena with a career-high 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting, registering her first career double-figure scoring performance. Genevive Wedemeyer added 15 points, going 11-for-13 at the free-throw line while recording two steals, finishing one point shy of her career high. Kaiya Rain Tucker paced the Saints with 12 rebounds, evenly split between six offensive and six defensive boards.
 
Siena struggled offensively in the opening quarter, shooting 1-for-11 from the field as Fairfield built a 26-13 lead. The Saints stayed within striking distance at the line, but the Stags capitalized inside and extended the margin to 42-23 by halftime.
 
Fairfield pushed the advantage to 61-33 after outscoring Siena 19-10 in the third quarter. Layups from Nicole Melious and Gates highlighted the period for the Saints.

Siena continued to compete in the fourth, posting an 18-point quarter while attacking the paint, but Fairfield closed out the 81-51 victory.
 
The Saints return to action Thursday, Feb. 26, traveling to Rider University for a 6 p.m. tip at Alumni Gymnasium in Lawrenceville, NJ.