Shorthanded Siena women's basketball outlasts UMass

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Despite being limited to six active players on Sunday, Siena Women’s Basketball turned in a resilient effort to earn a 57-53 win over the visiting University of Massachusetts (UMass) Minutewomen from the UHY Center. 

In what was Siena’s (2-4, 0-0 MAAC) first home game since Nov. 6, junior Teresa Seppala and freshman Aniya Hooker showed out for the hometown faithful - combining for 34 of the team’s 57 points. Seppala notched a season-best 21 points (8-17 FG, 4-9 3PT), while Hooker had a career-high 13 (5-7 FG, 3-4 3PT) in playing all 40 minutes. Seppala also totaled eight rebounds and tied a career high with four steals. 

Ahniysha Jackson reached double-figures in scoring for the fifth time this season, scoring 11 in the victory to pair with a team-best four assists. Freshman Zyriah Price was big on the boards yet again, coming down with a team-high nine rebounds. 

UMass (2-5, 0-0 Atlantic 10) was paced by Megan Olbrys’ 21 points and Yahmani McKayle’s 13. Olbry also finished with a game-high 11 rebounds to notch a double-double. 

While UMass held the advantage in the paint (28-18), the Saints claimed the upper hand with 17 points off turnovers, as well as a 16-0 edge in fast break points. 

Following a first quarter that ended with UMass ahead 10-5, the teams began to find some offensive spark in the second, with the Minutewomen taking a one-point edge over the 10 minutes to lead 26-20 entering halftime. 

The Saints turned the table in the third quarter, out-shooting UMass 75-50 percent from the field, and 66.7-20 percent from three in the frame. Seppala scored 10 of Siena’s 22 third quarter points, with an additional seven coming from Hooker. While the score looked to be tied at 41 entering the fourth, an initially ruled Hooker two-point basket was changed to a three, granting the Saints a one-point advantage entering the final 10 minutes. 

The Saints were held scoreless for nearly the first 4:30 of play in the fourth. In the meantime, UMass went on to take a four-point lead. However, Seppala converted on a three-point play to cut it to one. With UMass up by three points again with under 3:30 to play, Jackson scored five points in a 30 second span to put the Saints back up by two. 

From there, Seppala drained a three while Price and KB Hadley converted on a free throw chances to cap-off the thrilling win. 

Siena remains home to host crosstown foe UAlbany for the Albany Cup at 2 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 7.