FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Niagara women's basketball team put in a strong defensive effort, but eventually fell to the Fairfield Stags, 48-37, on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Hall.

"We played great team defense, Purple Eagle defense," head coach Kendra Faustin said. "I'm proud that tonight we displayed what has been the staple of our program - defense. We matured as a group today."

Niagara (1-18, 0-8 MAAC) forced a season-low by an opponent in points (48), field goal percentage (29.4) and 3-point percentage (19.0), but it was not enough to stop its losing streak. The Purple Eagles jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first five minutes of the game. Fairfield (12-6, 5-3 MAAC) battled back into the game and took a 25-16 halftime lead.   

In the second half, the Purple Eagles had a couple of runs extinguished by Fairfield. Katie Gattuso made two free throws to cut the score to 28-23 with 13:38 remaining, but Niagara would only score two more in the next seven minutes and was facing a 13-point deficit. The closet NU would get would be a free throw by Gattuso to cut the lead to 43-36 with a minute left.

Liz Flooks led Niagara with 11 point and had eight rebounds. Gattuso finished with eight points and eight rebounds.  

The Purple Eagles return home to face the Loyola Greyhounds on Friday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.