EDISON, N.J. – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) released the women’s basketball conference schedule on Tuesday afternoon.

The Purple Eagles alternate home and away weekends to begin MAAC play but will start in the Gallagher Center on Friday, Jan. 4 against the Iona Gaels and wrap up opening weekend with a game against the Siena Saints on Sunday, Jan. 6. 

The first MAAC road trip sends Niagara to Saint Peter’s (Jan. 10) and Fairfield (Jan. 12), before the team returns home to take on Rider on Jan. 18 and Marist on Jan. 20 in a rematch of last season’s double-overtime thriller at the Gallagher Center.

After the matchup against the Red Foxes, Niagara will play on the road for six of the next eight games.  The Purple Eagles will take on Iona (Jan. 24), Canisius (Jan. 27), Loyola (Jan. 31), Rider (Feb. 2), Marist (Feb. 15), and Siena (Feb. 17) over a four-week stretch.  The matchup against Marist will be broadcast on ESPNU.  The two home games are a Thursday/Saturday matchup against Loyola and Saint Peter’s on Feb. 7 and 9, respectively 

The Purple Eagles will head into the MAAC Tournament with three out of four games at home, beginning with a weekend series against Siena on Feb. 22 and Manhattan on Feb. 24.  The 2012-13 home schedule ends with a game against the Canisius Golden Griffins on Friday, March 1.  The regular season concludes on Sunday, March 3 with an away game against Manhattan.

Last season, Niagara used a late season surged en route to advancing to the MAAC Semifinals for the second time in the last three seasons. The Purple Eagles return All-MAAC member Kayla Stroman, MAAC All-Rookie Team performer Meghan McGuinness and MAAC All-Tournament honoree Lauren Gatto.

For more ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office (located at Dwyer Arena) at 716-286-TIXX (8499), tickets@purpleeagles.com or www.PurpleEagles.com/tickets.