NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. - The Purple Eagles women’s basketball team was paced by big nights for Liz Flooks (White Plains, N.Y.) and Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) but it wasn’t enough as they eventually fell to MAAC foe Iona 83-72 on Thursday night. The loss puts Niagara at 3-12 and 1-3 in the MAAC.

While the game didn’t go the way the Purple Eagles had wanted it to, there was plenty of positives to take from the game.

"We certainly took a step forward tonight," stated Niagara head coach Kendra Faustin. "I’m happy about many things, including some quality defensive stops."

The first half started off quickly for the Purple Eagles as they darted out to a 4-0 lead. Iona quickly caught up as much of the first half went back and forth with five lead changes. McNamee dropped two treys to give Niagara the 16-15 lead, before Suzi Fregosi answered back for the Gaels to give them the 18-16 lead. After Fregosi’s three, the Gaels went on a 14-3 run to take a 32-19 lead. After Fregosi’s three, Niagara was outscored 22-12, giving Iona the 40-28 halftime edge.McNamee had eight of her 18 points in the first half.

The second half continued the back and forth tempo seen in the first half. Niagara picked up the pace and came within four due to the hot hands of McNamee and Cathy Rutter (Old Bridge, N.J.). The game continued to go back and forth until a three pointer by Naeemah Ricketts put Iona up by 10 with just under seven minutes left to play. The Gaels pushed their lead to 15, but Niagara kept playing till the end. Flooks had 12 of her career-high 17 points in the second half.

Anna McLean scored 21 for Iona, while Thazina Cook added 12. The Purple Eagles are back in action on Saturday afternoon as they host MAAC rival Fairfield at 2 p.m.