BOBCATS HOST SAINTS IN KEY MAAC SHOWDOWN HAMDEN, Conn. (Interstat) — A surging Siena women’s basketball team faces its toughest conference test of the season Thursday night when it visits first-place Quinnipiac at TD Bank Sports Center. The Saints (11-12, 8-5 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) have won four of their last five, including a 91-72 rout of Manhattan on Sunday. They will attempt to slow a Quinnipiac (20-4, 12-1) squad that has won nine straight and boasts a perfect 10-0 record at home this season. The matchup hinges on a contrast in styles and standings. The Bobcats, receiving votes in the latest AP Top 25 poll, have built their success on balanced scoring and stifling defense, holding MAAC opponents to a league-low 55.2 points per game. Siena, sitting in the middle of the conference table, relies on a high-powered offense that has averaged 80.3 points during its recent hot stretch. Siena will lean heavily on guard Francesca Schiro, who is playing at an all-conference level. Over her last seven games, Schiro is averaging 22.1 points and 5.6 assists, including a 24-point, 9-assist performance against Manhattan. She is supported by Nicole Melious (25 points vs. Manhattan) and Kaiya Rain Tucker (23 points, 8 rebounds). Quinnipiac counters with its own star in forward Ella O’Donnell. The versatile junior is coming off a near triple-double with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in just 26 minutes in a 89-45 win at Niagara. During the Bobcats’ win streak, she has been efficient and impactful on both ends of the floor. Siena’s recent success has not come against the league’s elite. Their last loss to a top-tier MAAC opponent was an 86-50 defeat at Fairfield on Jan. 19. Quinnipiac, meanwhile, handled that same Fairfield team 72-58 on the road just ten days later. In their last meeting, Quinnipiac defeated Siena 68-52 on Jan. 5, 2025. The Saints have not won in Hamden since the 2018-19 season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.