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Women's Basketball
Bonnies pull out 60-59 win over Siena
Dec. 29, 2004
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure edged the Siena Saints, 60-59, at Reilly Center on Wednesday night behind the hot-shooting hands of junior guard Stefanie Collins and senior forward Tory Vyborny. The Bonnies opened the second half with 12-7 run to take a 45-39 lead with 13:39 remaining. Collins highlighted the stretch, draining a pair of free throws and a three-point bucket. Falling behind 51-44, Siena mounted a 13-7 run to crawl within one, 58-57, at the 1:31 mark. Collins found junior forward Olecia Miller under the basket with 50 seconds remaining, and the Bonnies were able to hold off the Saints in the final seconds to pull away with the victory. The Bonnies, who opened the game on a 16-8 run, only to see Siena respond with a 12-1 run of their own to go ahead 22-20 with 5:38 remaining. The teams exchanged baskets for the remainder of the half as Siena held a 33-31 lead at intermission. "I was pleased with the way we persevered in the second half behind solid defense," said Bona head coach Jim Crowley. "There are certainly things we need to improve on, but we are finding ways to win at home." St. Bonaventure shot 44 percent (23-52) from the floor and 44 percent (8-18) from long range. Collins led the Bonnies with 24 points, including 6-13 from three-point land. She also chipped in with four rebounds, four steals and three assists. Vyborny followed up with 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
The Saints hit for 46 percent (21-46) from the field, including 36 percent (5-14) from three-point range. Guard Katelyn Dooley and forward Michelle Blot led Siena with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Center Whitney Cave ripped down a game-high 10 rebounds as the Saints won the battle of the boards, 36-23.
The win improved the Bonnies to 4-6 on the season, while Siena fell to 3-7. St. Bonaventure returns to action Jan. 1 as the Bonnies host New Hampshire at noon. |
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