Tehresa Coles is defensive in Siena victory

Albany, N.Y. -- Tehresa Coles loves to do the 'dirty work'. The 5'9 senior is by no means that type of player. She just relishes a defensive challenge. Coles was instrumental in Siena's 71-61 quarterfinal upset of Iona in the MAAC quarterfinals at the Times Union Center. She held Iona star Damika Martinez, a 24.2 points per game scorer, to 12. "I challenged her," Siena coach Ali Jaques said of Coles. "She (Coles) knew she would draw Martinez as a defensive assignment but I also challenged her. She rose to the occasion.

Coles would be first to credit her teammates, noting "my teammates and coaches feed off each other's energy. We are a team with great chemistry." Iona's Martinez, visibly disappointed, was asked if Coles' defense was a factor in her 4 of 13 shooting, by icily responding, "I guess so."

Siena at 19-11 moves on to face Quinnipiac in Sunday's semifinal. The Bobcats remained undefeated against the MAAC with an 82-61 victory over Monmouth in he opener. Quinnipiac knocked down 13 three pointers in that contest. They pose a big problem, size and good outside shooters, for Siena. For anyone in conference at this juncture. Said Jaques partially in jest, "if anyone has figured how to beat Quinnipiac please give them my number."