NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's basketball team was denied a senior day win in a tightly contested game against the Saint Peter's Peahens, 63-59, on Sunday from the Gallagher Center.  

Niagara (12-17, 9-9 MAAC) entered the game with a chance to finish as high as fourth or as low as sixth for the upcoming MAAC Tournament; its opponent, Saint Peter's (11-18, 7-11 MAAC) was locked in the 8-vs-9 game.

Before the game, the Purple Eagles honored their three seniors, Rachele Folino, Jaclyn Konieczka and Jennifer McNamee. However, it was a pair of underclassmen in guards freshman Kayla Stroman and sophomore Ali Morris that led the Purple Eagles today. Niagara fell in an early first-half hole behind 24 percent shooting and went into halftime trailing 26-20; Niagara shot 51.7 percent (15-29) in the second half.

The Peahens built a 35-25 lead early in the second when the Purple Eagles charged back into the game. Stroman had an assist or point in 14 of NU's next 16 points to tie the game at 41-41. Morris put the Purple Eagles back in front with a 3-pointer with four minutes remaining, 52-51. Niagara increased its lead to 58-53 after two Stroman's free throws.

SPC's Alena Ali made a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 59-58 with 46 seconds remaining to setup a dramatic ending. Niagara turned the ball over in its next possession; however, the Peahens missed two layups with 10 seconds left, but regained possession. After a timeout, Saint Peter's Jynae Judson made a 3-pointer with five seconds left to give the Peahens a 61-59 lead. The Peahens intercepted the Purple Eagles' inbound pass and would convert two free throws to seal the game.

“The story of the game was the first half, we were playing tentative and got into foul trouble” head coach Kendra Faustin said.  “We have to be aggressive and we were not the aggressor tonight. We have the tools and have to get back to what we are about.”

Stroman led the Purple Eagles with 17 points and with six assists, while Morris finished with 13 points. Senior Konieczka finished with 10 points and six rebounds and fellow classmate Folino had nine points and eight rebounds.

Niagara enters the MAAC Tournament on a three-game losing skid. The Purple Eagles will be the fifth seed in the tournament will play the fourth-seeded Manhattan Jaspers in the quarterfinals on Friday, March 5 at 3:30 p.m. at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.