LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Siena Women's Basketball closed out its final regular season road trip in emphatic fashion, overpowering Rider 67-55 Thursday night at Alumni Gymnasium. The Saints (12-16, 10-9 MAAC) turned in one of their most dominant efforts on the glass in program history, outrebounding the Broncs (7-21, 5-14 MAAC) by a staggering 56-24 margin — a +32 differential that marks the team's largest in at least 25 years.
 
Trailing by as many as nine points at one point, Siena completed its largest comeback of the season (four points three times). Additionally, it was the team's first time winning a game this season after trailing at halftime (3).  
 
Siena's 56 total rebounds were a season high, including 27 on the offensive end and 13 in the third quarter alone. The relentless work on the boards fueled a decisive fourth-quarter surge in which the Saints poured in 27 points to pull away.
 
The game opened with Siena establishing an inside presence early, as Kaiya Rain Tucker scored on a layup less than 30 seconds in. Tucker went on to record her fourth double-double of the season, finishing with 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds to go along with two blocks. Valencia Fontenelle-Posson kept pace in a tightly contested first quarter, knocking down a three-pointer midway through the frame. Rider capitalized on turnovers and perimeter shooting to take an 18-15 lead after one.
 
Siena responded in the second behind Caydence Hadley, whose midrange jumper cut into the deficit early in the period. Tucker added a pair of free throws, and Dallas Pierce connected from beyond the arc to keep the Saints within striking distance. Despite multiple pushes, Rider carried a slim 32-29 advantage into halftime.
 
The momentum shifted in the third as Siena's dominance on the offensive glass began to wear down the Broncs. Tucker's go-ahead layup at the 6:03 mark gave the Saints a 33-32 lead, igniting a stretch that saw Siena control the paint and second-chance opportunities. Fontenelle-Posson added key free throws, and Alden Yergey converted a fastbreak layup in the closing seconds to help Siena take a 40-36 lead into the final quarter.
 
From there, the Saints seized full control.
 
Tucker and Hadley sparked the fourth-quarter run with early baskets before Siena found its rhythm from deep. Yergey, Fontenelle-Posson, and Nicole Melious each drilled three-pointers as the lead stretched to double digits. Siena's bench added 10 points, and strong defensive rebounding limited Rider's second-chance looks. Yergey's late fastbreak finish and clutch free throws from Fontenelle-Posson sealed the 12-point victory.
 
Fontenelle-Posson led Siena with 15 points, tying a season high while hitting three three-pointers and grabbing six rebounds. Hadley contributed 10 points and tied her career high with nine rebounds, adding two steals. Azera Gates orchestrated the offense with a career-best five assists while collecting four rebounds.
 
With the win, Siena strengthened its MAAC Championships positioning heading into the regular-season finale. The Saints will return home to the UHY Center on Saturday, Feb. 28 for a 2 p.m. matchup against Marist.

This postgame 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.