NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The Niagara women's basketball team wrapped up its three-game road trip with a 71-55 loss at the Iona Gaels on Sunday afternoon. The defeat snapped the Purple Eagles' two-game winning streak.

"We did not take care of the ball and we let the pressure get to us in the first half and dug ourselves a hole we couldn't get out of," head coach Kendra Faustin said.

Niagara (5-13, 2-5 MAAC) was looking to extend its two-game winning streak while stopping Iona's (11-8, 7-1 MAAC) six-game winning streak. However, the Gaels sprinted to a 17-4 start in the first seven minutes of the game and took a 38-18 halftime lead.

The Purple Eagles outscored the Gaels, 37-33, in the second half. Seniors Rachele Folino (Novi, Mich.) and Jaclyn Konieckza (Parma, Ohio) were the only Purple Eagles to score in double-figures. Folino led Niagara with 17 points and Konieckza scored a career-high 16 points.

"We were successful in the second half," Faustin said "We did a better job taking care of the ball and making the extra pass in the second half. Jaclyn, Rachele and Ali (Morris) stepped up."

Niagara returns home for a five-game homestand starting this Friday, Jan. 29 against Siena at 7 p.m.