The Siena women’s basketball team has made an impressive start to the 2023-24 season, boasting a 13-8 overall record and a 10-3 record in MAAC play. Their next challenge is a game against Niagara this Thursday.
For more details about the team’s roster, schedule, and statistics, click on each link provided.
Here’s a detailed recap of the Saints’ journey through the 2023-24 season so far.
GAME 21: SIENA 74, QUINNIPIAC 55
Game Details: Feb. 10 at UHY Center
Game Summary: The Saints maintained a lead throughout the game, extending their winning streak to seven games. They led by 18 points at halftime and increased their lead to 25 points. Quinnipiac attempted a comeback in the third quarter, but a 16-2 run by Siena, highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Ahniysha Jackson, sealed the game. Freshman Alden Yergey and Jackson contributed 13 and 11 points respectively, with five different Siena players scoring at least eight points.
Key Stat: Siena forced Quinnipiac into 21 turnovers, with the Saints making 16 steals. Jackson and Elisa Mevius led the team with four steals each.
Current Record: 10-3 MAAC, 13-8 overall
GAME 20: SIENA 74, IONA 57
Game Details: Feb. 8 at Hynes Athletics Center
Game Summary: Junior Anajah Brown had a standout performance, scoring a career-high 33 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in just 30 minutes. The Saints led by seven points at halftime and extended their lead with a 7-2 run at the start of the second half. Brown scored 15 points in the third quarter alone, helping Siena maintain their lead and eventually win by 21 points in the fourth quarter. Sophomore point guard Elisa Mevius contributed 13 points, 11 assists, and six steals.
Key Stat: This game marked the seventh consecutive time Siena has scored over 70 points, a feat not achieved since the 2000-2001 season.
Current Record: 9-3 MAAC, 13-8 overall
GAME 19: SIENA 71, MARIST 67
Game Details: Feb. 3 at McCann Arena
Game Summary: In a closely contested game, Siena used a 9-0 run in the final minute to secure their fifth consecutive win. Teresa Seppala hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with just over a minute to play, contributing to her 24-point game. Ahniysha Jackson added 14 points and freshman Ciany Conyers scored seven. Elisa Mevius had a well-rounded performance with six points, seven steals, six rebounds, and six assists. Zaria Shazer led Marist with 23 points.
Key Stat: After a slow start from the 3-point line in the first half, Siena improved their long-range shooting in the second half, making 5 of 12 attempts.
Current Record: 8-3 MAAC, 11-8 overall
GAME 18: SIENA 74, MANHATTAN 51
Game Details: Feb. 1 at UHY Center
Game Summary: Siena continued their winning streak with a dominant performance against Manhattan. Six players scored at least seven points, with Elisa Mevius and Ahniysha Jackson leading the team with 15 points each. Anajah Brown narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and 13 rebounds. Siena led by as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter and maintained a double-digit lead for the final 11:50 of the game. This win moved Siena into a second-place tie in the MAAC with Manhattan, behind 10-0 Fairfield.
Key Stat: Siena’s defense was particularly effective, limiting Manhattan to just 3 of 16 from 3-point range.
Current Record: 7-3 MAAC, 10-8 overall
GAME 17: SIENA 78, QUINNIPIAC 60
Game Details: Jan. 27 at M&T Bank Arena
Game Summary: The Saints outscored Quinnipiac 64-46 over the final three quarters, securing their third consecutive win and fifth win in the last six games. Four Siena players scored in double figures, with Aniysha Jackson scoring 20 points, Teresa Seppala and Anajah Brown adding 14 points each, and Elisa Mevius contributing 10 points and seven assists. Ava Sollenne led Quinnipiac with 15 points.
Key Stat: Siena dominated the rebounding battle, out-rebounding Quinnipiac 42-33 and grabbing 16 offensive boards. All five Siena starters grabbed at least five rebounds, led by Seppala with nine.
Current Record: 6-3 MAAC, 9-8 overall
GAME 16: SIENA 77, IONA 56
Game Details: Jan. 20 at UHY Center
Game Summary: Four different Siena players scored in double figures, and the Saints shot 49.2% from the field and 47.1% from 3-point range to secure a victory against the defending MAAC champions. Leading 33-27 at halftime, Siena outscored Iona 20-10 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Teresa Seppala scored 20 points for the Saints, and Anajah Brown recorded her second consecutive double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Key Stat: Freshman Ciany Conyers had a career-high 13 points, shooting 5 of 6 from the field and 3 of 4 from 3-point range.
Current Record: 5-3 MAAC, 8-8 overall
GAME 15: SIENA 79, RIDER 58
Game Details: Jan. 18 at UHY Center
Game Summary: Despite missing leading scorer Ahniysha Jackson due to illness, the Saints managed to turn a one-point halftime lead into a dominant victory by outscoring Rider 24-8 in the third quarter. Anajah Brown led the team with 21 points and 13 rebounds, Elisa Mevius added 16 points and seven steals, and London Gamble contributed 15 points and nine rebounds. With Jackson out, Siena used just seven players until the game was well out of reach in the fourth quarter.
Key Stat: Siena dominated the rebounding battle, finishing with a 45-28 advantage and grabbing 17 offensive boards.
Current Record: 4-3 MAAC, 7-8 overall
GAME 14: FAIRFIELD 78, SIENA 73
Game Details: Jan. 13 at Leo D. Mahoney Arena
Game Summary: Despite trailing by 18 points at halftime, Siena fought back in the second half, closing the gap to just two points on several occasions. However, they were unable to complete the comeback. Teresa Seppala led Siena with 22 points, while Anajah Brown contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds. Meghan Andersened led MAAC-leading Fairfield with 23 points.
Key Stat: Emina Selimovic, a former Siena player who transferred to Fairfield this past offseason, scored nine points for the Stags.
Current Record: 3-3 MAAC, 6-8 overall
GAME 13: SIENA 66, NIAGARA 64
Game Details: Jan. 11 at UHY Center
Game Summary: Playing in front of an enthusiastic Kids Day crowd, the Saints saw their double-digit lead slip away and found themselves trailing by one with 24.5 seconds remaining. However, a perfectly executed out-of-bounds play allowed Teresa Seppala to score the go-ahead layup with 22 seconds left. Ahniysha Jackson led the team with 17 points, while Elisa Mevius added 15 points, seven rebounds, seven steals, and four assists. Teresa Seppala and Ciany Conyers contributed 11 and 10 points respectively.
Key Stat: Conyers, a freshman, had scored just 11 points in the five previous games she’d played for Siena.
Current Record: 3-2 MAAC, 6-7 overall
GAME 12: SIENA 64, SAINT PETER’S 45
Game Details: Jan. 6 at UHY Center
Game Summary: Ahniysha Jackson was the star of the game for Siena, scoring a career-high 31 points and becoming the first Siena player to score 30 in a game in nearly five years. Siena’s defense was also impressive, forcing 35 turnovers, including 24 in the first half.
Key Stat: Jackson’s 31 points were the most by a Siena player since Kollyns Scarbrough scored 32 against Canisius on Jan. 13, 2018.
Current Record: 2-2 MAAC, 5-7 overall
GAME 11: MANHATTAN 60, SIENA 53
Game Details: Jan. 4 at Draddy Gymnasium
Game Summary: Siena started 2024 on a low note, falling behind 17-7 in the first quarter against Manhattan and failing to recover. Manhattan’s Ines Gimenez Monserrat scored 28 points in 29 minutes off the bench, including six 3-pointers, and Petra Juric added 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Jaspers. Siena was led by 19 points from Ahniysha Jackson and 15 points from Teresa Seppala.
Key Stat: Seppala scored her season-high points on 4 of 6 shooting in just 18 minutes before fouling out.
Current Record: 1-2 conference, 4-7 overall
GAME 10: CINCINNATI 71, SIENA 51
Game Details: Dec. 21 at Fifth Third Arena
Game Summary: Cincinnati took an early lead with a 13-0 run in the first quarter and maintained their momentum throughout the game. Brianna Byers and Clarissa Craig scored 11 points each off the bench for the Bearcats. Teresa Seppala scored 11 points for Siena, and Nikola Zdenkova added a career-high nine points in 21 minutes.
Key Stat: Cincinnati dominated the rebounding, outrebounding Siena 53-27 and grabbing 17 offensive rebounds.
Current Record: 1-1 conference, 4-6 overall
GAME 9: SIENA 61, MOUNT ST. MARY’S 55
Game Details: Dec. 18 at Knott Arena
Game Summary: Siena maintained a lead for most of the game but struggled to pull away. They led 41-39 entering the fourth quarter, but managed to make crucial baskets and free throws down the stretch to secure the win. Ahniysha Jackson led Siena with 16 points, while London Gamble added 12 points. Teresa Seppala nearly had a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Key Stat: Freshman Ciany Conyers scored a collegiate-best five points in 19 minutes.
Current Record: 1-1 conference, 4-5 overall
GAME 8: CANISIUS 65, SIENA 63
Game Details: Dec. 16 at UHY Center
Game Summary: Elisa Mevius’ layup with 23
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Great job, Saints! You dominated the court this season, showcasing your exceptional skills and teamwork. Keep up the amazing work! #SienaWomensBasketball
Great job, Saints! Your hard work paid off, and the results speak for themselves. Keep up the great work!
Great work, Saints! Your impressive performance this season truly reflects your dedication and talent. Keep shining on the court! #SienaPride