NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s basketball team dropped a tough, 59-53, decision to the Manhattan Jaspers on Sunday afternoon at the Gallagher Center.

“It was probably the best game we’ve played this season,” head coach Kendra Faustin said.  “We had players doing their roles well, did the little things right and played well as a team. We just made some crucial errors at the end.”

The Niagara (1-20, 0-10 MAAC) defense, which has improved immensely in the last few games, held Manhattan (15-6, 7-3 MAAC) to 5-for-18 shooting in the first half. Offensively, the Purple Eagles patiently broke down the Jaspers zone defense and finished the half with a 41.7 field goal percentage and a 26-25 lead.

The second half saw momentum switch back-and-forth and the game was played in a six-point window. Meghan Waterman tied the game at 50-50 with six minutes remaining, but Manhattan’s Maggie Blair drained a 3-pointer to put the Jaspers up 53-50 with 3:56 left.

Niagara cut the lead to 54-52 after two Katie Gattuso free throws with 1:37 left, but the Jaspers received a big basket from the conference’s leading scorer, Abby Wentworth, when she made an acrobatic layup with 1:08 remaining. Wentworth made another key basket with 25 seconds left to extend the lead to 58-53. Wentworth led the game with 22 points.

Niagara shot 40 percent from the field in the game and had more rebounds (31-30) and assists (12-9) than Manhattan. Sophomore Jessica Flamm had a team-high 14 points and seven rebounds. Liz Flooks, Shy Britton and  Gattuso each scored eight points.

Niagara will play at conference leading Marist on Friday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in its next game.