Postgame Infographic

NIAGARA UNIV, N.Y. –  In a game that featured 10 lead changes and six ties, the Purple Eagles were edged in the final minutes to the Siena Saints, 74-70, on Sunday at the Gallagher Center.
 
The Purple Eagles (3-14, 2-6 MAAC) led by one point with nine minutes remaining and trailed by one point with five minutes left before Siena (7-10, 4-4 MAAC) went on a game-altering 7-0 run.
 
"We have to handle the ball, make free throws and be solid at points in the game when it is extremely important," head coach Chris Casey said. "There were a number of times where we had the lead, or were one or two points behind, and we didn't handle the ball well."
 
Emile Blackman led all scorers by tying a season-high with 21 points, including 15 in the first half, and added six rebounds. Dominique Reid scored 16 points and was one rebound shy of his second career double-double. Ramone Snowden netted 11 points and shared game-high honors with Karonn Davis in assists with five.
 
The Purple Eagles, who trailed 39-35 at halftime, opened the half on an 8-1 run to take a 43-40 lead capped by a Snowden 3-pointer with 16:20 left in the game. The Saints, however, answered with a7-0 run as the game continued its back-and-forth nature.
 
A 3-pointer by Blackman put NU back ahead, 55-54, with 9:19 remaining as both teams traded baskets in the next four minutes. NU trailed 62-61 with five minutes left when Siena scored seven straight points in a two-minute span to build a 69-61 advantage. The Saints would increase their lead to 72-63 with 2:06 left.
 
NU responded with a 7-1 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Davis, to cut the lead to 73-70 with 36 seconds. Now trailing 74-70, the Purple Eagles had two possessions in the final 30 seconds but failed to score.
 
Niagara returns to the court on Friday, Jan. 23 when the Purple Eagles visit the Monmouth Hawks for a 7:00 p.m. tip. Fans can listen live on AM 1400 WWWS and on the Niagara Sports Network via PurpleEagles.com.