FAIRFIELD, CT. – The Niagara University women’s basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to the Fairfield Stags 50-44 on Friday night at Alumni Hall. The decision places Niagara at 5-16 (3-7 MAAC).

Head coach Kendra Faustin was excited about the way her group played tonight, despite the final result. 

“Both teams played great defense," stated Faustin. "It was a battle of a game, as it was very physical. I am proud of the intensity level that we are at on a consistent basis."

The Purple Eagles darted out to a 4-0 lead as Michelle Manfredi (Jefferson Hills, Pa.) and Sara Prybyl (Mars, Pa.) both made layups. Niagara continued to utilize its fast start to break out to a 24-12 lead after an Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) layup with 8:47 left in the first half. The Stags then turned the tables as they went on an 11-2 run, capped off by a Meka Werts trey to come within three at 26-23. A traditional three-point play by Liz Flooks (White Plains, N.Y.) and a Jen McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) layup gave Niagara the 31-23 halftime advantage.

McNamee led all Purple Eagles at the half with seven points, while Prybyl and Flooks both had five points.

The second half saw Fairfield come out quickly, as a 14-7 run put Fairfield within one at 38-37 at the 12 minute mark. The Stags took their first lead of the game at 42-41 off of a Sabra Wrice three-pointer with 6:52 left in the game. A Sarah Wilson (Saint Catherines, Ont.) trey gave Niagara the lead again at 44-43 with just over four minutes left. Just a minute later, Shireyll Moore converted a traditional three-point play to put the Stags up 46-44. A Baendu Lowenthal layup capped a 6-0 late run for Fairfield to put them up 49-44. Wilson and Flooks both had eight for the Purple Eagles, while three Stags had 11 points each.

The Purple Eagles are back on the hardwood as they continue their weekend road trip against Iona on Sunday at two p.m.