Game Highlights 

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles were edged by the Siena Saints, 66-62, on Thursday in the MAAC National Game of the Week.

"Our guys competed and we were right there down the stretch," head coach Chris Casey said. "If we made a couple of more shots and free throws, we would have put ourselves in a position to win."

Siena's Evan Hymes go-ahead 3-pointer with 43 seconds left denied Niagara (6-16, 3-8 MAAC) a victory in a game that witnessed 13 ties and 16 lead changes. The score was knotted at 59-59 when Antoine Mason's floater in the paint, his only field goal in the half, broke the tie at 61-59 with one minute left. On the ensuing possession, the Saints (10-12, 6-5 MAAC) benefitted from a broken play and the ball found Hymes who connected a 3-pointer to put Siena in front 62-61.

Niagara, though, had opportunities to pull out the win in the final seconds. After the Purple Eagles missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer, Siena's Marquis Wright made 1 of 2 free throws with 23 seconds left. Niagara had a chance to tie the game when Wesley Myers was fouled driving to the basket with 12 seconds left, but the freshman made 1 of 2. On the ensuing inbounds play, Siena broke the press and Wright converted a 3-point play as he was fouled on his layup.

Niagara had the largest lead of the game at 17-10 with 12:23 left in the first half as Siena went scoreless for over three minutes. Mason converted a layup on his way to scoring a first half high of 12 points. The lead, however, would change three more times before a breakaway dunk by Harris with a 1:40 left gave Niagara a 32-31 lead it took into halftime.

NU would build its lead to 41-35 after a pair of free throws by Mason at the 11:37 mark. Siena then scored six straight points in less than one minute to tie the game at 41-41.   The remainder of the game would be played within one possession.

Mason and Marcus Ware shared game-high honors with 18 points. Rayvon Harris added 11 points and tied for the game-high in rebounds with seven.

The Purple Eagles continue their road swing on Saturday when they look to sweep the regular season series against Marist at 7 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN3, ESPN 1520 AM and Purple Eagles All-Access. 

Game Highlights