ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — Fairfield cruised to an 81-51 victory over Siena in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Times Union Center. The Stags, now 24-4, led wire-to-wire after a 26-point first quarter and never saw their advantage dip below double digits. Cyanne Coe led Fairfield with 19 points and nine rebounds. Genevive Wedemeyer scored 15 points for the Saints, who fell to 11-16. Fairfield capitalized on its size and defense, scoring 50 points in the paint and 26 points off turnovers before an announced crowd of 705.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Fairfield Stags delivered a defensive masterclass, overwhelming the Siena Saints from the opening tip and cruising to an 81-51 victory in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Times Union Center. The game was effectively decided in a dominant first quarter where Fairfield’s pressure and efficiency created an insurmountable gap. The Stags opened the contest on a 13-0 run, holding Siena scoreless for the first four minutes and forcing five turnovers during that span. Cyanne Coe, the 6-foot forward from Bolton, Canada, set the tone early with a steal and a driving layup just over 30 seconds into the game, part of her team-high 19-point performance that also included nine rebounds, a block and a steal in just 24 minutes. Fairfield’s defense was relentless, converting 23 Siena turnovers into 26 points while holding the Saints to 30.8% shooting from the floor and 0 for 11 from three-point range. The Stags also stifled Siena’s ball movement, limiting the home team to just three assists for the entire game. Offensively, Fairfield pounded the ball inside, scoring 50 points in the paint and shooting 46.4% from the field despite a 7-for-31 effort from beyond the arc. The Stags led 26-13 after the first quarter and extended the advantage to 42-23 by halftime. Siena never threatened in the second half, as Fairfield’s lead ballooned to as many as 35 points. The Saints were held to 10 points in both the second and third quarters before a late surge against Fairfield’s reserves produced 18 points in the final period. Kaety L’Amoreaux of Endwell, New York, provided strong support for Fairfield with 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Janelle Brown added 11 points and four assists, while Meghan Andersen of Wantagh, New York, chipped in 14 points. The Stags’ depth was on full display with 11 players scoring and the team recording 11 steals. Siena was led by Genevive Wedemeyer of Cowbridge, Germany, who scored 15 points and added four rebounds. Albany native Azera Gates came off the bench to contribute 12 points, and Kaiya Rain Tucker of Philadelphia grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. The Saints struggled mightily to generate consistent offense, posting an offensive rating of just 68.1 points per 100 possessions. The victory improved Fairfield’s season record to 24-4 overall and marked its 12th win in its last 13 games. The Stags have now defeated Siena twice this season by a combined 56 points. The loss dropped Siena to 11-16 on the year. Fairfield’s defensive intensity in the opening minutes was the most important part of the game, immediately establishing control and demoralizing the Saints. The early run, fueled by active hands and transition scores, allowed the Stags to play comfortably ahead for the remaining 35 minutes. The performance continued a stellar stretch for Coe, who has averaged 12.3 points over her last four games. The announced attendance was 705. Fairfield’s next game is at home against Sacred Heart on Feb. 28. Siena travels to face Rider on Feb. 26 before hosting Marist on Feb. 28.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s top team visits one of its most challenging venues Saturday when the Fairfield Stags face the Siena Saints in a women’s basketball matchup at Times Union Center. Fairfield (23-4), riding a seven-game winning streak, enters as one of the hottest teams in the league. The Stags are coming off a dominant 62-30 victory over Saint Peter’s on Thursday, where their defense held an opponent under 35 points for the fifth time this season. Their last loss was a 72-58 setback against Quinnipiac on Jan. 29. Siena (11-15) seeks consistency on its home floor, having alternated wins and losses in its last six games. The Saints fell 61-52 to Iona on Thursday despite a strong all-around effort from guard Kaiya Rain Tucker, who posted 16 points, four assists and four blocks. The Jan. 19 meeting between these teams was a lopsided affair, with Fairfield cruising to an 86-50 home victory. Stags guard Kaety L’Amoreaux has been a driving force since, averaging 17.1 points and 4.6 assists over her last eight contests. She scored 30 points in a win at Quinnipiac on Feb. 14. Tucker has been a bright spot for Siena, showcasing versatility with a triple-double of 11 points, 10 rebounds and one assist in a loss at Merrimack on Feb. 14, followed by a 23-point, eight-rebound performance in a win over Manhattan. Fairfield’s offense, which put up 109 points in a win over Marist this month, will test a Siena defense that has allowed an average of 66.2 points per game. The Stags lead the MAAC standings and are positioning for postseason play, while the Saints look to improve their seeding and build momentum for the conference tournament. Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon.