The Purple Eagles play the third game of their four-game homestand against the Siena Saints Friday night at the Gallager Center as they make a final push to climb the MAAC standings.
The Purple Eagles will rely on their improved three-point shooting, which has improved to 34.9 percent over the past 10 games, a stretch that has them 32nd in the nation.
How To Tune In
Fans can enjoy the live video streaming on Purple Eagles All-Access with announcer Dave Universal. Fans can also follow live stats on PurpleEagles.com
Last Time Out...
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s basketball team rallied from a halftime deficit and had several chances to win in the final seconds, but eventualy fell to the conference-leading Marist Red Foxes, 79-77, in double overtime in the Gallagher Center.
Coming out of the break Marist (20-7, 15-1 MAAC) was able to build its lead over Niagara (10-18, 7-9 MAAC) to 41-33 four minutes into the second half. Niagara’s offense kicked into gear and set off a 10-2 run and regulation would end with the two teams tied at 64-64.
The first overtime session began with
Lauren Gatto making four consecutive free throws but Marist took a 69-68 lead by making 3 of 4 chances at the foul line. Marist hit a three to tie the game at 72-72 with just under a 1:30 left on the clock.
In the second ovetime a pair of free throws gave Marist its final lead as it came away with a 79-77 victory
On The Court: Siena Saints (10-15, 7-9 MAAC)
Tha Saints have won two-games in a row, defeatng Manhattan and Rider. They have won four of their last five, with the only loss coming to Manhattan on Feb. 12. On the road this season, the Saints are 3-8 with a 2-5 conference record. Siena’s two road wins have come against Rider and Saint Peter’s.
Siena is led by junior Lilly Grenci who is averaging 15.6 points per game and eight rebounds per game, both of which are team highs.
Seniors, Cristina Centeno and Maja Gerling are threats as well, averaging over 10 points per game
Ending The Year At Home
Niagara wraps up the 2011-12 season with a four-game homestand against Fairfield, Marist, Siena, and Manhattan. The last time the Purple Eagles ended the season with at least four consecutive home games was the 1995-96 season where it went 3-2 in a five-game stretch with wins against Iona, Loyola, and Siena.
This time around the Purple Eagles are 0-2 on the homestand with two games left to play.
From Outside...Yes!
The Purple Eagles are 32nd in the nation in three-point field-goal percentage, hitting 34.9 percent of its three point chances. In MAAC play it has hit 38.2 percent from beyond the arc, which is good enough for first in the conference.
Trifecta You Betcha!
The Purple Eagles hit 10 or more three-pointers in a game since March 5, 2010 against Manhattan when it hit 10 against Marist on Feb. 19.
Kayla Stroman hit five of Niagara’s three-pointers and Meghan McGuinness hit another four, on five total attempts.
Taking Advantage Of The Charity Stripe
A month after hitting 91.7 percent of its free throws against Canisius on Jan. 19, Niagara went a perfect 13-for-13 against Marist on Feb. 19.
The effort raised the team’s free-throw percentage back over 70 percent on the year, with the team heading up to 70.1 percent from the line. If the team can continue its success at the line, this will be the highest free-thow percentage in the Faustin-era.
