Siena’s Fourth Quarter Dominance Secures Victory Over Canisius Women’s Basketball

Siena pulled off a thrilling 73-56 win over Canisius in MAAC women’s basketball, thanks to a dominant fourth-quarter burst. The game took place at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo, N.Y., and really showed off Siena’s grit and smart play.

They used a wild 19-3 run in the final quarter to lock up the win. Now Siena’s on a four-game win streak, sitting at 4-7 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

Canisius dropped to 2-9 overall and 0-2 in league play. Nicole Melious led all scorers with 19 points for Siena, making her presence felt all night.

Siena’s Dominant Fourth Quarter

Siena really took over in the last quarter. The Saints rattled off a 19-3 run that basically put the game out of reach.

That late surge turned what was a tight contest into a pretty comfortable win. Siena kept crashing the boards and turned offensive rebounds into second-chance points, which made all the difference.

Key Performers for Siena

Nicole Melious stood out for Siena, pouring in 19 points and going 9-for-18 from the field. She struggled a bit from deep, hitting just one of six, but her overall effort was huge.

Francesca Schiro chipped in 14 points. Genevive Wedemeyer added 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, giving Siena a balanced attack.

Canisius’ Efforts and Struggles

Canisius fought hard but just couldn’t keep up with Siena’s energy late. Junior Shariah Gailes led the Golden Griffins with 15 points, six rebounds, and an assist.

Senior Franka Wittenberg added 10 points and eight boards. Sophomore Irene Rey Pineda finished with nine points, three assists, and two steals.

Still, Siena edged out Canisius on the glass, 42-39.

Notable Statistics and Game Highlights

• Free-Throw Attempts: Canisius got to the line 29 times—more than any other game this season—and made 20 of those.
• Gailes’ Consistency: Shariah Gailes has scored double digits in three of the last four games, keeping up her strong play from last year.
• Wittenberg’s Streak: Franka Wittenberg has scored at least 10 points in three straight games, averaging nine rebounds in that span.
• Clay’s 3-Point Shooting: Corniya Clay knocked down a three in the third quarter, her fourth game in a row with a triple.
• Djibril’s Rebounding: Yasmine Djibril has grabbed five or more rebounds in seven straight MAAC matchups.

Game Flow and Key Moments

Canisius jumped out to a 14-12 lead after the first quarter, with Yasmine Djibril scoring five early points. Siena’s Nicole Melious got hot in the second quarter, dropping 10 points and helping the Saints take a 35-29 lead into halftime.

In the third, Canisius made a push. Corniya Clay scored five straight to cut the gap to 45-42, but Siena held on and led 52-48 heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter Surge

Then Siena really slammed the door. After a free throw from Corniya Clay brought Canisius within three, Siena answered with a 16-0 run, stretching the lead to 65-49 with just over five minutes to go.

That stretch pretty much iced it. Canisius couldn’t find a way back in.

Looking Ahead

Canisius will try to regroup on New Year’s Day against two-time defending MAAC champ Fairfield. That one’s set for 2 p.m. at Leo D. Mahoney Arena in Fairfield, Conn.

Fans can catch it live on ESPN+, and tickets are up for grabs online, by phone, or at the Canisius ticket office. Should be a good one—let’s see if Canisius can bounce back.

Stay Connected

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