NIAGARA UNIV, N.Y. – Chanel Johnson tied a career-high with 24 points in her final game in the Gallagher Center, but the Purple Eagles dropped the final tune-up before the MAAC Tournament to the Fairfield Stags 74-62 on Sunday afternoon.
 
Johnson, who was honored in a pregame ceremony on Senior Day, scored the first and last points of the game for Niagara (10-19; 8-12 MAAC) on the way to her 24-point afternoon. She finished the game 11-for-18 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. She also added five rebounds, two steals, a block, and an assist.
 
"We couldn't ask more from Chanel Johnson," head coach Kendra Faustin said. "Her growth, both on and off the court, in her four years here has been phenomenal and this year she became the player that we saw when we recruited her and knew that she could be this person."
 
"On and off the court she has been a great leader and she has matured so much," she continued. "She's my kind of person; she's stubborn and she is hard-nosed, works hard. Those are the things that make her fun to coach because she refuses to give up or let down."
 
The Purple Eagles fell behind early and faced a 12-point deficit five minutes into the game. Over the next five minute NU went on a 16-4 run to tie the Stags (20-9; 15-5 MAAC) 20-20 with 10 minutes left in the half. Fairfield was able to build another small lead but the Purple Eagles went on a small 9-4 run with a layup from Taylor McKay sending them into the break down one, 32-31.
 
"I think there were moments of brilliance," Faustin said. "I think we really struggled to defend inside, but offensively we did great things."
 
The second half began as close as the first ended. Niagara was never able to take a lead, but stayed within striking distance for all but the final six minutes when Fairfield was able to go on a run down the stretch to come away with the 74-62 win.
 
"I don't think we've had a game this year where offensively we've had all cylinders firing," said Faustin. "I'm really looking forward to the MAAC Tournament and turning that corner. I think that would be phenomenal. The finality of a tournament setting is exciting and we're really excited for MAACachusetts."
 
Donisha Watson led the team with seven rebounds to bring her weekend total to 10. Kelly Van Leeuwen led the way with four assists. As a team, Niagara shot 50.9 percent (28-for-55) from the floor.
 
Niagara will go into the MAAC tournament as the eighth seed and will face the ninth-seeded Monmouth Hawks in the first round. Tip-off on Thursday morning is at 9:30 a.m. in the MassMutual Center.