LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s basketball team (2-1, 1-0) extended its winning streak to two games as it defeated the Siena Saints (2-4, 0-1), 65-56, Friday to open up conference play at the Athletic Recreation Center on the campus of Siena College.

The Purple Eagles jumped out to a quick lead by the familiar duo of junior Eva Cunningham (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) and senior Colleen Toetz (Parma, Ohio/Regina), with Toetz draining a three-pointer to start the game and Cunningham immediately following with a layup to put Niagara up by five. Niagara led the Saints well into the second half, until the Saints Jolene Johnston converted a three-point play to put Siena in front by three. Unphased by the 13 point comeback by the Saints, Niagara went on to hit three-straight three-pointers to seal the game’s fate.

 Eva Cunningham  led Niagara scorers with 17 points and six assists, while senior Ann Mimm (Girard, Pa./Girard) and Toetz  chipped in with 15 and 11 points respectively.

Siena’s Jolen Johnson led all scorers with 22 points on a sizzling 10 of 13 shooting. She also grabbed seven rebounds and added three assists.

It was the third consecutive game that Toetz and Cunningham shot better than 50 percent combined. Mimm, Cunningham and senior Jessica Kemp (Niagara Falls, Ont./A N. Myer), amazingly, played all 40 minutes.

Niagara’s next action is Dec. 7 as it takes a trip down the road to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to take on Marist at 2 p.m. at the McCann Center on the campus of Marist College.

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