NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Siena Saints used a dominant first quarter to build a substantial early lead and then weathered a series of comeback attempts by the Iona Gaels to secure a 94-80 victory in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Hynes Center.

Siena, which improved to 6-7 overall, exploded for 30 points in the opening period while holding Iona to just 15, establishing a 15-point cushion that proved critical. The Saints’ offensive efficiency in the frame, coupled with disruptive defense, set a tone that the Gaels, now 8-6, could never fully overcome despite several pushes to close the gap.

The Saints’ early surge was fueled by a balanced inside attack. Caydence Hadley of Rochester, New York, scored nine of her 17 points in the first quarter, while Francesca Schiro of Hillsborough, New Jersey, added seven of her game-high 23 points during the opening run. Siena shot 51.5 percent from the field in the first and forced six Iona turnovers, converting them into easy transition opportunities.

Iona responded in the second quarter, outscoring Siena 23-16 behind the scoring of Mya Zaccagnini. The Waterbury, Connecticut, guard scored 11 of her 34 points in the period, helping the Gaels trim the deficit to eight points at halftime, 46-38. The Gaels’ defensive pressure also intensified, forcing eight Siena turnovers in the quarter.

The third quarter saw Siena reassert control. After Iona cut the lead to six early in the period, the Saints used a 10-2 run to push the advantage back to 14. Nicole Melious of Staten Island, New York, who finished with 19 points, and Schiro combined for 15 points in the quarter as Siena took a 67-52 lead into the final frame.

Iona mounted its most serious challenge in the fourth quarter. Sparked by Zaccagnini and Isabellah Middleton of Leesburg, Virginia, who had 17 points and five assists, the Gaels went on a 12-4 run to pull within 77-68 with just over five minutes remaining. The surge was fueled by aggressive defense that led to Siena turnovers.

The most important sequence of the game followed immediately, halting Iona’s momentum and sealing the outcome for Siena. With the lead at nine and the Gaels applying full-court pressure, Siena’s Kaiya Rain Tucker of Philadelphia found Schiro for a pull-up jumper to stop the run. On the ensuing possession, Tucker stole the ball from Zoey Ward of Gastonia, North Carolina, leading to a transition opportunity. Although Siena missed a three-pointer, they retained possession off an offensive rebound, and Melious drilled a crucial three-pointer from the wing, extending the lead back to 14 points with 4:59 to play. The seven-point swing in less than a minute effectively ended Iona’s threat, as the Gaels could not get closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Siena’s victory was built on superior shooting and an ability to score inside despite a sloppy performance handling the ball. The Saints shot 51.5 percent from the field overall, compared to just 38.1 percent for Iona. Siena also held a 42-40 advantage in points in the paint and made 17 of 22 free throws. The Saints overcame a significant discrepancy in turnovers, committing 25 that led to 21 Iona points, while forcing only 14 Gaels turnovers.

Iona’s Zaccagnini was the game’s high scorer, adding four assists in 38 minutes. Ella Fajardo of Bergenfield, New Jersey, dished out a game-high six assists for the Gaels. For Siena, Tucker posted a strong all-around line with 15 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Hadley’s 17 points complemented the scoring of Schiro and Melious.

The announced attendance was 636. Siena next hosts Rider on Thursday. Iona travels to face Niagara on Thursday.