LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Canisius women's basketball program were within striking distance up to the very last second, but the squad came up short against Siena, 61-57. With the loss Canisius drops to 8-10 overall and 3-6 in MAAC play, while Siena improves to 11-8 and 8-1 in conference action.

The Blue and Gold had the game-tying shot on its hands with seconds ticking down, as Lauren D'Hont set up along the far wing, and lofted a trey, but the shot fell just short and the Griffs comeback bid was halted.

Margret Halfdanarodttir led the way for Canisius notching 13 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the field including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Freshman Maria Welch also proved to be dangerous for the Griffs, scoring 10 points, hitting 2-of-5 from long range.

Tamara Miskovic proved to up to the task of running the Canisius offense, scoring 10 points, and dishing eight assists, nearly securing a double-double on the evening.

Crystal Porter also proved to be a big part of the Canisius offense, scoring six points and taking down nine rebounds to lead the team.

Usual suspect, Kollyns Scarbrough who scored 18 points, led Siena on offense, while the Saints had two other players record double-figures as Meghan Donohue and Jackie Benitez scored 14 each.

As a team the Griffs shot 21-of-55 for 38 percent, while Siena finished hitting 24-of-54 for 44.4 percent from the field. The Griffs, returned to form from beyond the arc, hitting 47 percent from long range, including 6-of-9 in the first half.

Siena bested the Griffs in the battle of the glass, outrebounding the Canisius 38-33, while Siena turned it over 14 times and Canisius only gave it away 12.

Siena started the game strong going on a 9-3 run headed into the first media timeout, with a  Saliah Serrette 3-pointer providing the only points of the run for the Blue and Gold.

However coming out of the break, Canisius looked inspired, turning the tide and taking its first lead of the game, as Miskovic dashed into the paint and lofted a layup, helping to spark a 14-5 run to end the first quarter with a 17-14 lead.

Siena responded opening the second quarter on a 8-3 run, with all eight points coming from Meghan Donohue, but the Griffs continued to weather the storm, as a trey by D'Hont with just under four minutes in the frame, gave the squad a slim 23-22 lead before the media timeout.

Siena ended the half edging the Griffs in points, 14-11 in the second quarter, as the two teams went into halftime tied 28-28.

Out of halftime the Saints took control again, going on a 9-2 run with Scarbrough scoring four points, as the Griffs were forced to call timeout down 37-30 with 6:06 left.

Siena ended the third quarter with a 20-14 advantage in points, as it took 48-42 lead into the decisive fourth frame.

In the final quarter Canisius had the lead trimmed to one possession twice as the squad kept pace, including the final possession for the Blue and Gold.

Canisius worked the ball around the perimeter, looking for a game-tying trey. With a defender in her face, D'Hont sent the 3-pointer airborne but the shot was off-target and the game was sealed.

The Griffs now heads to Fairfield, Conn., where the squad will take on the Stags on Sunday. Game time is set for 2 p.m.