JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Niagara women's basketball team was defeated by the Saint Peter's Peacocks, 65-58, on Thursday evening at the Yanitelli Center. 

The Purple Eagles (8-12; 4-7 MAAC) found success from the perimeter and led throughout most of the first half.  Meghan McGuinness went 4-for-4 from three-point range as Niagara built a lead that got as high as seven points, 20-13, with 4:23 left in the period. 

The Purple and White, however, would hit a cold stretch in the final minutes. Saint Peter's (2-17, 2-8 MAAC) finished the half scoring the final four points to go into intermission trailing 20-17. 

McGuinness had a team-high 19 points while sophomore forward Victoria Rampado added 16 points and five boards. Donisha led the Purple Eagles on the glass for the third time this season after grabbing eight rebounds for NU.

Saint Peter's was able to go on an 8-0 run in the beginning of the second half to take a 25-21 lead with 17:04 remaining in the game. The two teams traded baskets for the next nine minutes as Niagara was able to stay within single digits. Kelly Van Leeuwen hit a three-pointer at the 5:57 mark to bring the Purple Eagles within two, 42-20. The Peacocks responded by scoring 10 unanswered points to take their largest lead of the game, 52-42. NU hit back-to-back 3-pointers from Van Leeuwen and Rampado to cut the lead to 52-48 with 2:33 on the clock.

With the score at 61-57 and 22 seconds remaining, the Purple Eagles were forced to foul.  SPU hit 4-of-4 form the charity stripe to come away with the 65-58 win.

NU shot just 26.3 percent (15-for-57) from the floor compared to Saint Peter's 18-for-45 (40.0 percent) showing. However, the Purple Eagles shot an impressive 10-for-22 (45.5 percent) from beyond the arc.

The Purple Eagles are back on the court for a Saturday afternoon contest with the Manhattan Jaspers.  Tip-off at Draddy Gymnasium is at 2 p.m.