LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – Ali Morris (Parkersburg, W.Va.) led Niagara with a career and game-high 18 points, but the Purple and White could not contain the hot shooting Siena Saints as they fell 81-59 on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Recreation Center.

Niagara (1-15, 0-5 MAAC) jumped to a 17-12 lead behind 60 percent shooting. However, the Saints (4-10, 3-2 MAAC) employed a full court press to start an 11-0 run for a 23-17 lead at 7:50 in the first half.

The Purple Eagles gained back some momentum in the last three and half minutes in the first half. Rachel Folino (Novi, Mich.), who had nine first half points, score six points in a 9-4 run to end the half for the Purple Eagles.

The Niagara defense neutralized Siena’s leading scorer Heather Stec in the first half, but she eventually took over the game with low post scoring in the second. Stec finished the game as the Saints leading scorer with 17 points. The Purple Eagles and Saints would trade baskets for the first five minutes of the half, until Siena sprinted away with the game with outside shooting.

Morris led the game with 18 points, surpassing her previous career-high of 17 points against Syracuse. She was 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Folino had a career-best 14 points and Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) added 10.

Niagara returns to the Gallagher Center on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. to face the Manhattan Jaspers, as part of Purple Pride Weekend.