LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team could not overcome a cold shooting night as the team shot 28 percent from the floor and 20 percent from long range, falling to Siena 51-40 at the Alumni Recreation Center. Samantha Cooper recorded her ninth double double of the season in the setback with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Cooper has now tallied 1,109 points in her career, tying her with Kelsey Carey for 26th on the program's all-time scoring list.
 
Cooper kept the Stags in the game during the first quarter scoring the team's first seven points. Cooper hit both of her shots in the opening period, but the rest of the team combined to go 1-for-10. The only other field goal came off the hands of Macey Hollenshead as the senior drilled a 3-pointer to bring the Stags within a possession at 12-10, which would be the margin at the first.
 
Ten of the first 12 points for the Saints came in the paint in the opening quarter. Siena's first 3-pointer of the game came 1:30 into the second quarter when Deja Rawls spun in a long range shot to give Siena a 15-10 advantage. Siena would hit two more field goals before the Stags tallied their first of the quarter.
 
Khadidiatou Diouf got Fairfield on the board over 8:30 into the quarter after Fairfield had misfired on their first 10 shots. Diouf would heat up following that shot, hitting three-straight overall in a one minute span to put the Stags back within striking distance at 21-18 to end the half.
 
The Stags' defense shined to open up the third quarter, keeping Siena off the scoreboard for four minutes until Kollyns Scarbrough's three-point play. During that stretch, the Stags forced seven Siena turnovers, allowing them to take their first lead of the half. A Casey Foley 3-pointer put the Stags ahead 26-24, but Siena would even the score on a 3-pointer by Anna Lundquist. The Stags looked like they would take the lead into the fourth quarter as Cooper converted a lay-up with 26 seconds left. But Siena's Joella Gibson got free inside the paint and hit her lay-up to tie the game.
 
The Stags broke a 34-34 tie on a Kristen McLaughlin lay-up at the 8:01 mark of the fourth quarter, a lead that would stay for three minutes until Rawls connected on a 3-pointer to give the home team the advantage. Siena would add 14 more points for the 51-40 final score.
 
As usual, Cooper led the Stags in both points (14) and rebounds (13). With her 14 points, Cooper now ties Kelsey Carey for 26th on Fairfield's all-time scoring list at 1,109.  Diouf was behind Cooper with 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Stags fought on the defensive side, recording a season-high three charges with Foley, Diouf, and Kendra Landy each drawing a charge.
 
Fairfield will now close out a three-game road trip at Rider on Saturday at 2pm.