NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's basketball team pulled out a 65-63 overtime win over the Siena Saints on Friday night from the Gallagher Center.

"We pulled out a close game at home in conference," head coach Kendra Faustin said. "They are a really good team and (we) struggled the first time we played them. It was a great team effort to pull out the win."

Niagara (6-13, 3-5 MAAC) snapped its six-game losing skid against Siena (7-11, 5-4 MAAC) in a highly entertaining game that warmed up the gym on a bitterly cold night in Western New York.

The Purple Eagles ran off the last four points in the first half to tie the game 25-25.

The back-and-forth nature of the game continued in the second half as the lead changed seven times in the first 10 minutes of the half. Niagara, then, went on a 14-2 run to take a 52-43 lead with 3:38 remaining in regulation. The Saints would counter with a 9-0 run to tie the game at 52-52 with a minute left in the second half. Siena had a chance to win the game in regulation, but had it shot hit the front of the rim.

In overtime, Liz Flooks drained a jumper to give NU a 60-58 lead with 45 seconds left in the period. Kayla Stroman and Ali Morris each made a pair of free throws to extend NU's lead to 64-58 with 16 seconds remaining. However, the Saints would not go away quietly. Allie Lindemann made a 3-pointer, and after Stroman made 1-of-2 free throws on NU's next possession, Lindemann was fouled on a 3-pointer attempt with two seconds left. She made the first two, and then missed the third on purpose; Siena grabbed the rebound but did not get a shot off.

Rachele Folino led NU with 18 points, while Flooks and Stroman each added 10 points.

"We made free throws down the stretch and also got big performances by individuals," Faustin said.

Niagara is back in action on Sunday to play conference leading Marist at 2 p.m at the Gallagher Center.