NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Sarah Wilson (Saint Catherines, Ont.) netted a double-double, including a career-high 28 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Purple Eagles women’s basketball team (5-19; 3-10 MAAC) dropped a heartbreaking 76-75 decision in front of 487 on Think Pink Day.

Head coach Kendra Faustin was happy with the big performances that she received from her players.

“Sarah Wilson had a great game, knocking down five threes and grabbing 10 boards,” Faustin stated. “Jen McNamee also had a strong game, hitting clutch shots down the stretch.”

The first half started with back and forth action, as Siena would take a lead only to have Niagara tie the game. Wilson’s second three-pointer of the game cut the Siena lead to 15-12 with 13:19 left in the first half, but the Saints would then turn up the offensive pressure. For a four minute span late in the first half, Siena outscored the Purple Eagles 7-0. A layup by Wilson and a buzzer beater jumper by Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) whittled the Saints lead to 32-24 at the half. Laura Menty for Siena scored 15 points, while Wilson accounted for 10 Niagara points.

Niagara started the second half the way they finished the first, scoring four straight points to finish an 8-0 run that put them within four. After the layup by Liz Flooks (White Plains, N.Y.) brought Niagara within four, the Saints outscored the Purple Eagles 12-3 to go up 44-31 only five minutes into the second half. Siena’s lead would not last as a Jen McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) trey made the score 52-49 half way through the second frame.

A Serena Moore layup with just over seven minutes left gave the Saints another double-digit lead. The Purple Eagles never let up, as critical foul shooting by Wilson kept the Purple Eagles within striking range. With two minutes left McNamee knocked down a three-pointer that tied the game at 71. After The Purple Eagles tied the game at 73, another jumper from McNamee gave Niagara a one-point lead with 46 seconds left. Heather Stec would nail the game-winning jumper with 27 seconds left to put Siena up 76-75. With thtree seconds left, an imbound pass made it to Wilson who put up a shot, only for it to clank out, ensuring the Siena win.

Wilson scored 18 points in the second half, including five rebounds. Wilson was perfect from the foul line, going nine for nine. McNamee scored 16 points and Harris scored eight points. Siena’s Laura Menty knocked down 20 points.

The Purple Eagles travel to take on Marist and Manhattan starting on Friday at 7:30 pm, as they take on the defending MAAC champion Marist Red Foxes.