NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - In a tightly contested game, the Niagara women's basketball team (3-12, 0-4) was edged by the Iona Gaels, 59-51, on Monday night from the Gallagher Center.

“We haven’t been able to put the whole package together,” head coach Kendra Faustin said. “We missed some easy layups and have to do a better job taking care of the basketball.  They are so big and talented (and) I thought we did a great job on the defensive end.”  

Niagara held Iona (7-8, 3-1 MAAC)  to a season-low 59 points in MAAC play, while forcing 20 turnovers. NU held Iona to 39 percent shooting and four second chance points. The Gaels did manage to shoot 50 percent (9-for-18) from the 3-point line, with several coming late to stop halt NU's runs.

The entire first half was played within a six-point margin. Senior guard Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) made a layup from the baseline to cut Iona's lead to 24-23 with 13 seconds remaining. The Gaels' Thazina Cook drained a fade away 3-pointer to give Iona a 27-23 halftime lead.

At the 14 minute mark, sophomore forward Meghan Waterman (Dayton, Ohio) made a basket to pull the Purple Eagles within 31-29 before the Gaels went on a 10-2 run behind the tandem of Kristina Ford and Cook. Niagara battled back into the game, but missed several layups which would have brought the Purple Eagles closer.

With 55 seconds left, Rachele Folino (Novi, Mich.) made her eighth free throw, to finish the game perfect from the line, to cut the lead to 54-49. Iona followed by icing the game with five-straight free throws. The Purple Eagles finished the game shooting 16-for-17 (94.1 percent) at the free-throw line for their second best outing this season.

Niagara will start its three-game road trip with a Saturday matinee against the Fairfield Stags at 1:30 p.m.