LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – After a back-and-forth first half, the Siena Saints were able to take charge late and the Purple Eagles fell 59-43 in Sunday afternoon’s tilt.

"When you turn the ball over 24 times, it makes it tough to be successful," head coach Kendra Faustin said.  "I thought they did a great job defensively in their zone and making us uncomfortable.  I didn't think we did a great job attacking at the rim and then rebounding.  When you shoot that poorly and you don't go get offensive rebounds it's going to be a long night."
 
Each team held a minor lead early in the game but it was Siena (10-15, 6-8 MAAC) that was able to build the first multi-possession lead.  Niagara (12-13, 7-7 MAAC) responded with Lauren Gatto and Meghan McGuinness trading baskets before shots from both Kayla Stroman and Kelly Van Leeuwen capped a 13-3 run over the course of five minutes to give the Purple Eagles an 18-14 lead with six minutes remaining.
 
McGuinness (who went 5-for-11 from the floor) and Gatto (who went 5-for-12 from the floor) had 15 and 13 points, respectively.  Stroman tied a career-high with a game-high nine rebounds and added another five assists, also a game-high, and three steals. 
 
Niagara was able to hold onto the lead for most of what was left of the first, but Siena took a two-point lead with under two minutes left and took a 25-23 advantage into the break.
 
After halftime, the Saints were able to build a double-digit lead.  McGuinness hit a three-point jumper with just over four minutes on the clock to cut into the deficit and make it a 49-42 game, but that was as close as Niagara could get as the Saints took away a 59-43 win.

"They played passing lanes and we had driving lanes and we did a poor job of making decisions, score or pass, when we got in the paint," Faustin said.  "We didn't attack in the second half, I think that was the biggest difference."
 
Niagara is back on the court this Friday when it hosts the Fairfield Stags at 7 p.m. in the Gallagher Center for the annual Play 4 Kay game.  Friday's game is also the second-to-last Free Friday of the year, meaning admission is free to the general public.