ALBANY, N.Y. - The fifth-seeded Niagara Purple Eagles were eliminated in the 2010 Citizens Bank MAAC Tournament Semifinals by top-seeded Marist, 69-47, on Saturday afternoon from the Times Union Center.

“We woke up this morning believing we had a chance to play for a MAAC Championship tomorrow and that is huge step in the culture of our program,” head coach Kendra Faustin said.

Niagara (13-18), which was playing in its first MAAC Semifinal game since 2005, was going against a tournament experienced Marist (25-7) team that is the four-time defending tournament champion. NU was competitive throughout the game in its bid for its first championship game appearance in 13 years.

The Purple Eagles went on a 10-2 run which was capped with a layup by freshman Jessica Flamm to tie the game at 14-14 with 9:41 in the first half. The Red Foxes responded with a 10-3 run en route to taking a 30-21 halftime lead.

Marist quickly built its lead to 16 points early in the second half, but Niagara chipped away at the lead and twice cut it to eight points with less than nine minutes remaining. In the end, Marist’s Rachele Fitz proved too much for the Purple Eagles. The three-time MAAC Player of the Year recorded her sixth double-double this season with 25 points and 12 rebounds, both game highs.

Seniors Jaclyn Konieckza and Rachele Folino ended their careers with strong performances. Konieczka led the Purple Eagles with 14 points and Folino had 11 points, while both were one rebound away from a double-double. 

“What this group of seniors have done for our program is remarkable, I could not have asked for our younger players to learn from better leaders," Faustin said.

MAAC Rookie of the Year Kayla Stroman scored eight points, but was held without an assist for only the second time this season. Sophomore Meghan Waterman added eight points, five rebounds and three assists to go along with a career-high two 3-pointers.

Niagara finished the season with 13 wins, it most wins since the 2006-07 season.