ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Siena Saints used a dominant rebounding performance and clutch free throw shooting to pull away from the Marist Red Foxes for a 67-57 victory in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Times Union Center.

The Saints improved to 13-16 overall, while the Red Foxes fell to 11-19.

The game was ultimately decided by Siena’s overwhelming advantage on the offensive glass and its precision at the foul line. Siena grabbed 20 offensive rebounds, leading to 18 second-chance points and numerous extended possessions that wore down the Marist defense. The Saints also converted 17 of 18 free throw attempts, a 94.4% clip, while Marist struggled, making only 13 of 20.

Marist, despite forcing 22 Siena turnovers and recording 12 steals, could not overcome its own offensive inefficiency. The Red Foxes shot 40% from the field but managed an offensive rating of just 77.6 points per 100 possessions, hampered by 17 turnovers of their own and the inability to secure defensive boards.

The contest remained tight through three quarters, with Siena holding a narrow 51-49 lead entering the final period. The most critical sequence of the game occurred early in the fourth quarter. With Siena leading 54-51, Marist’s Lexie Tarul connected on a 3-pointer off an assist from Chloe Escanillas to tie the game with 3:54 remaining.

Siena responded immediately. On the ensuing possession, Dallas Pierce scored inside to reclaim the lead. Following a Marist turnover, Nicole Melious drove for a layup, assisted by Caydence Hadley, pushing the Saints’ lead to 58-54 with 3:22 left. Marist would not get closer than four points the rest of the way as Siena closed the game on a 13-3 run, fueled by its defense and perfect free throw shooting down the stretch.

Tarul, a guard from the Bronx, led all scorers with 16 points for Marist, adding two assists. Justine Henry of Long Island contributed 14 points, and Jackie Piddock of Adams, New York, added 10. The Red Foxes’ offense, however, lacked consistent flow, tallying only 12 assists on 20 made field goals.

Siena’s victory was a balanced effort. Genevive Wedemeyer, from Cowbridge, Germany, led the Saints with 13 points, including three 3-pointers, and dished out three assists. Hadley, from Rochester, New York, provided a key all-around performance with 10 points, four assists and strong defense. Alden Yergey of Nokesville, Virginia, chipped in nine points, and Olivia Watkins of Lawton, Oklahoma, scored eight, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

The Saints’ ability to control the interior was pivotal. They outrebounded Marist 45-28 overall, with Kaiya Rain Tucker grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds, six on the offensive end, to go along with three blocks. This interior presence compensated for Siena shooting just 37.1% from the field.

The win gave Siena a split of the season series after Marist won the first meeting 75-72 in Poughkeepsie on Jan. 22. Entering the game, statistical models heavily favored the Saints at home.

For Marist, the loss continued a trend of offensive struggles in conference play. The Red Foxes have now failed to reach 60 points in seven of their last ten games. Ciara Croker of New Rochelle, New York, scored nine points for Marist in the losing effort.

Siena will look to build momentum as the regular season concludes, while Marist seeks to refine its offensive execution before the MAAC tournament.