ALBANY, N.Y. - The Purple Eagles women’s basketball team had a strong day beyond the arc, but lost a nailbiter to the Siena Saints by a 67-62 margin Monday afternoon at the Times Union Center. The Purple Eagles drop to 3-15 (1-6 MAAC).

It looked bleak for the Purple Eagles after four minutes, but the Purple Eagles picked up their intensity and focus as the game went on

“The first few minutes looked tough, but then we got back to basics and started to win the rebounding war,” stated head coach Kendra Faustin. “We also got strong performances out of our reserves, including [Ashley]Cornett and [Jaclyn] Konieczka.”

Siena came out quickly on a 12-4 run to start the game. Ashley Cornett’s (Campbell, N.Y.) three capped a 7-3 run to bring Niagara within four at 15-11. Another three pointer by Jen McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) with four and a half minutes left brought Niagara within one at 19-18. Sarah Wilson’s (St.Catherines, Ont) layup tied the game for the Purple Eagles at 25 with two minutes left in the first half.

Another McNamee trey put Niagara up 28-25, as the Purple Eagles outscored the Saints 24-13 in the last 16 minutes of the half. Jaclyn Konieczka (Parma, Ohio) led all Purple Eagles with eight of her career-high points 13 points in the first half, hitting four of five shots from the field.

Both teams warmed up quicker in the second half then they did in the first half, with several lead changes. A Madel Gimpes trey put Siena up 44-43, but a free throw by Liz Flooks (White Plains, N.Y.) tied the game at the 8:45 mark of the second half. The game continued to go back and forth with several lead changes, until Siena led late 63-59. A Wilson three-pointer cut the lead to 63-62. After Melissa Manzer converted both free-throws, McNamee pulled up for a three-pointer that clanked off the rim. Cornett finished with a career-high nine points in the loss.

   Melissa Manzer had 23 points for the Saints. The Purple Eagles head to the hardwood again on Friday, as they prepare to host Saint Peter’s at 7 pm.