Box Score SCORE: Siena 76, Niagara 70
RECORDS: Siena (14-15, 11-7 MAAC), Niagara (9-20, 6-12 MAAC)
LOCATION: Times Union Center
 
ALBANY, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles were edged in their regular-season road finale by the Siena Saints, 76-70, on Saturday night.
 
Game Summary
In a game that featured 14 lead changes and seven ties, it was the Siena Saints who pulled away in the final five minutes to split the season series.  
 
After falling behind 7-0, Niagara tied the game with an 8-1 run. The Purple Eagles took their first lead of the game, 13-11, on a Kevin Larkin layup at the 13-minute mark as NU led for the next five minutes. After a Dukes jumper gave NU a 25-24 lead with 7:42 left, the Saints went on a 10-0 run in a two-minute span. Niagara closed the half on a 6-2 run to trail 41-35 at halftime. Kahlil Dukes was the driving force for the Purple Eagles, leading all scorers with 15 first half points.
 
The second half was close as the game was played within a three-point window between 17:20 to 6:38 remaining on the game clock.  Niagara opened the half with a 9-2 run, including scoring six straight, to regain the lead at 44-43 with 17:20 left. There were nine lead changes and three ties over the next nine minutes. The momentum changing moment came with Siena leading 64-62, when the Saints connected on consecutive 3-pointers for a 70-62 lead with three minutes remaining. Matt Scott hit a jumper on Niagara's next possession before the Saints reeled off six straight points to build a 12-point lead with 43 seconds left.
 
Eagle's Eye On…

• Kahlil Dukes led the game with 23 points on 8 of 19 shooting from the field and 6 of 7 at the free-throw line.
• Matt Scott finished with 16 points and a team-high four steals.
• Chris Barton had 10 points and six rebounds.
• Maurice Taylor Jr. grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds, added eight points and had three steals.

 
Inside The Numbers

• Kahlil Dukes, who led all scorers for the second straight game, scored 20-plus points in consecutive games for the third time this season.
• Niagara forced a season-high 20 turnovers which led to 16 points.

 
Up Next

• The Purple Eagles begin their final homestand of the season on Friday, February 24 against Saint Peter's at 7 p.m.
• The game will air on LCTV with audio coverage on the Niagara Sports Network via WGR 550 AM and www.PurpleEagles.com.
• For ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286 TIXX, tickets@Niagara.edu or www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets.