NIAGARA UNIV, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles kept the pressure up on the Manhattan Jaspers but ultimately fell 64-56 on Saturday afternoon in the Gallagher Center.
 
After a back-and-forth opening few minutes, Niagara (8-17; 6-10 MAAC) had to face both a Manhattan (8-17; 7-9 MAAC) offense that was clicking and an uncooperative rim and fell behind 33-16 with six minutes remaining in the first half.  Taylor McKay, who was playing in her second game after returning from an injury, hit the first of three-consecutive baskets to send the Purple Eagles on an 11-2 run to end the half down 35-27. 
 
"It was great to have Taylor McKay back, she did a great job coming in off an injury and I thought she had a great game," head coach Kendra Faustin said. "She does all the dirty work and she's our best defender. She is fabulous in transition and creates a lot for us defensively so we can get out and go in transition. I thought she did that tonight, for sure, and that's really valuable."

McKay finished the game with 12 points. The sophomore went 6-for-10 from the field and contributed two steals.
 
The run that ended the opening half stretched into the second and reached 19-7 by the 14:11 mark and had the Purple and White within five points, 40-35.  The hosts stayed within two possessions through much of the half, culminating with a free throw from Sam Lapszynski cut the deficit to 49-46 with seven minutes remaining.
 
Manhattan was able to hit shots late and went a 7-for-7 from the free throw line after NU was forced to foul on the way to the 64-56 final.
 
"We're going to give Manhattan credit for playing a great game, certainly, because they made a lot of tough shots down the stretch at the shot clock," Faustin said. "They did a great job controlling the clock at the end of the game."
 
Chanel Johnson finished with a game-high 16 points and Meghan McGuinness scored 13 to join McKay in the double-digits. Victoria Rampado led the team for the third-consecutive game with 10 rebounds.
 
Niagara departs for its final road trip of the regular season next week. The Iona Gaels are first up with a 7:00 p.m. matchup on Thursday.