NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Siena Saints scored the final eight points in the game to narrowly defeat Niagara, 63-54, on Sunday at the Gallagher Center.

Liz Flooks (White Plains, N.Y.) had a career-high 26 points and was 9-for-9 from the free-throw line in the game. Flooks nailed a pair of free throws to bring Niagara (1-7, 0-2 MAAC) within one point at 55-54 with 1:31 remaining. The Saints (1-7, 1-1 MAAC) responded on their next trip with a Heather Stec jumper with a minute remaining.

Ali Morris (Parkersburg, W.Va.) drove baseline, but her layup rimmed out and Siena controlled the rebound with 40 seconds left. The Saints iced the game with a layup and four-straight free throws.

The Purple Eagles shot under 30 percent from the field and was 0-for-4 from 3’s in the second half, after playing an effective first half.

Down 12-5, Niagara sprinted on a 14-0 run in which Flooks scored all 14 points. Niagara built its lead to 28-19 when the Saints crawled back into the game. Siena ended the half on a 12-1 run for a two point halftime advantage.

Both defenses locked down in the second half and the Purple and White were able to chip away from Siena’s seven point lead. Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) made consecutive jumpers to cut the lead to three, 47-44, at 7:28 in the second. She finished the game with 16 points. Flooks surpassed her previous career-high of 21 point with a jumper at 4:50 in the half.

Niagara will step out of conference play until Jan. 4. The Purple Eagles will end their three-game home stand with a trip to Big East foe, the Syracuse Orange, on Dec. 14 at 1 pm.