NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s basketball team was edged by the Bowling Green Falcons, 79-74, on Thursday at the Gallagher Center.

“We really did some positive things, if you take away that first 10 minutes in the first half it’s a different basketball game,” head coach Kendra Faustin said. “We had two really good teams come in here (this week) and challenge us early in the season. We feel like we have the pieces, have great veteran players and our looking forward in the positive way.”

Niagara (1-2) had a season-high in points and six Purple Eagles recorded season-highs in points, including three scoring in double figures led by Lauren Gatto s 16 points. Gatto was joined in double figures by Chanel Johnson with 14 points and Meghan McGuinness with 13 points.

The difference of the game came down to free throws, rebounding and career-high 28 points by BG’s Chrissy Steffen. Bowling Green (2-0) made more free throws (29) than NU attempted (24) and the Falcons outrebounded the Purple Eagles, 42-35.

Though, a spirited Niagara squad refused to back down. The Purple Eagles cut a 16-point deficit down to five, 39-34, with 34 seconds left the first half and went into the half trailing 41-34. NU stayed within striking distance throughout the second half, in part to Gatto and Chanel Johnson making clutch shots.

Down 69-62 with 2:27 remaining, the Purple Eagles continued to chip away at the lead and cut it to four points on three occasions over the next two minutes. A pair of free throws by Val McQuade brought NU to 77-74 with six seconds left, but BG’s Jillian Halfhill made two free throws on the Falcons’ next possession to seal the game.

Niagara is back on the court on Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 21, at Bucknell at 7 p.m.