Siena Defeats Rider to Advance to Women's Basketball Quarterfinals
Siena Sports Information
Albany, NY - Siena's defense held Rider to a MAAC Tournament record for fewest points and its offense started moving in the second half as it defeated the Broncs 45-25 in the First Round of the Tournament Thursday afternoon in Albany. Rider made just 8-of-55 shots from the field (14.5%) and MAAC Second Team selection Serena Moore posted her seventh double-double of the season and second in as many games.
This is Siena's first MAAC Tournament win since defeating Fairfield 56-55 on March 2, 2007. Siena advances to play No. 2 seeded Iona in the quarterfinals tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m.
Both teams started slow as Siena (11-17) made two of its first 10 shots and had three turnovers in the first 7 ½ minutes. Rider (4-26) had five points with five minutes left in the first half. Siena shot 22.6% from the field in the first half and Rider shot 16.7%.
Siena pulled away in the second half by scoring in transition and making 40% of its shots. Rider shot just 12% from the field in the second half.
The Saints went on a 15-2 run in a six minute span and led 33-16 with 12 ½ minutes to play.
Siena and Rider shattered a 22-year old Tournament record for fewest combined points with 70. The previous low was from March 7, 1988 when Saint Peter's defeated Manhattan 48-47 (95).
Moore finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Allie Lindemann scored 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field and 3-of-8 from 3.
Senior guard and MAAC Third Team selection Amanda Sepulveda led the Broncs with five points. Rider's starting backcourt combined for 10 points on 4-of-36 shooting from the field.
Freshman forward and five-time MAAC Rookie of the Week Caitlin Bopp did not play because of injury. She averaged 8.5 points and 9.8 rebounds this season but just 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds against Siena.