Lady Saints stun Marist In Poughkeepsie

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – With 19 seconds on the clock Jackie Benitez made a layup to give Siena Women’s Basketball a 69-68 win over Marist which is their first win in Poughkeepsie since Dec. 3, 2004. Siena now has back-to-back victories over the Red Foxes, the last time that happened was on Feb. 26, 2004 followed by Dec. 3, 2004.

Sophomore guard, Jackie Benitez scored a team-high 20 points and swiped a game-high five steals for the Saints (7-12, 6-4 MAAC). Senior forward Meghan Donohue added 19 points while grabbing five boards.

Hannah Hand tallied a game-high 21 points, while Claire Oberdorf put in 18 points for the Red Foxes (8-11, 5-4 MAAC). Lovi Henningsdottir notched a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. Marist shot 50-percent (11-22) from behind the arc.

After draining three three’s, Marist was able to pull within three with just three minutes left. Siena followed that by going back up by five, 65-60, but the Red Foxes hit their 11th trey of the game to trail 65-63. Marist was able to complete a three-point play followed by hitting two free-throws to take a 68-65 lead with just 36 seconds left. Denisha Petty-Evans drove in for a layup followed by a Donohue rebound and dish out to Benitez who hit the game winning layup with 19 seconds left. Petty-Evans blocked Claire Oberdorf’s three at the buzzer to help the Saints hold onto the win 69-68.

The Saints led 26-14 with just over four minutes left in the second quarter. Marist was able to end the quarter on a 9-1 run as Siena would lead 27-23 at the half. That run would continue to the third quarter and put Marist within one, 28-29. Siena took their largest lead of the game with 1:36 left in the third quarter, 46-32 before the Red Foxes were able to chip away at the lead and start what would be a crazy final three minutes in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Kollyns Scarbrough grabbed eight boards for the Saints. Siena caused 21 Marist turnovers and turned that in 22 points. The Saints scored 40 of their points in the paint and led for 38:25 in the contest.

The Saints return back to the Capital District on Thursday, Jan. 26 to host Canisius. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.