Box Score Siena reserve guard Emia Willingham scored all nine of her points in the second half, capped by the game-winning lay-up with six seconds left in the game as the visiting Saints defeated Canisius 71-70 Sunday afternoon in the Koessler Athletic Center. The win improves Siena to 10-5 overall and 3-3 in the MAAC, while the loss dropped the Griffins to 5-10 overall and 3-3 in league play.
Three Canisius players recorded double-figures in the loss, led by junior Emily Weber, who scored a career-high 22 points on the power of a career-high six 3-point field goals. Fellow junior Tiahana Mills added 15 points and five assists, while junior Crystal Porter chipped in 11 points and five rebounds in the losing effort. For the game Canisius shot 52.1 percent from the field, 50 percent from 3-point range and 91.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Canisius led 70-65 with 2:04 left after Weber hit a pair of free-throws. The Saints scored the games next four points to pull within one at 70-69 with 1:05 left on the clock. After Canisius came up empty on a missed 3-point attempt Siena came down the floor and missed a lay-up with 14 seconds left. Their reserve forward Symone Kelly grabbed the offensive rebound and passed the ball to Willingham who laid the game-winning shot over the front iron to put Siena ahead for good. Canisius had a chance to win the game, but Mills' running 3-point shot with two seconds left hit the side of the rim as the horn sounded.
Canisius shot 58.3 percent from the floor and 71.4 percent from 3-point land in the games first 20 minutes as the Blue and Gold went into the locker room up 17 at 38-21. Canisius scored five of the first seven point in the second half, highlighted by a 3-pointer by senior Kayla Hoohuli to put the Blue and Gold up 43-23 with 19:12 left in regulation time. The Griffs led by 13 mid-way through the second half before Siena used a 9-0 run to get within four at 62-58 with 7:26 left to play. After a Siena free-throw cut the Griffs cushion 64-63 with 5:06 left, the Griffs went on a 6-2 run over the next 2:02 to take the 70-65 lead.
Siena guard Tehresa Coles had a game-high 24 points to go with five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Forward Meghan Donohue was good for 11 points and five rebounds for the Saints who shot 42.4 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from 3-point range. Siena ended the game outscoring Canisius 42-20 in the paint and the Saints turned 20 Canisius turnovers into 29 points. Siena also held a 33-26 advantage on the glass, with 14 of those 33 rebounds coming at the offensive end.
Canisius will return to action Friday, January 16 when the team plays at defending MAAC champion Marist. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Game Notes: This was the 68th all time meeting between the Griffs and Saints, with Siena leading the series 44-24…Weber's six makes from 3-point land are the most for a Griff this season…Canisius shot a season high 91.7 percent from the free-throw line…Sophomore Laniere Coleman had a career high four blocks in the losing effort…the 17 point advantage at half-time stands as the Griffs' largest half-time lead of the season…Mills now has a steal in 26-straight games, dating back to last season.
