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NIAGARA UNIV, N.Y. – The Niagara women's basketball team secured a 44-33 victory over the Rider Broncs in the team's Senior Day game at the Gallagher Center on Sunday.

"This was one of the most physical games we've played all year and it was a really gutted out win," head coach Kendra Faustin said. "I'm very proud of our team and it's so great to get a victory to celebrate our seniors."
 
Senior Day was started by senior Kelyn Freedman making an athletic play to get a block and a layup on the other end of the court to put Niagara (13-14, 9-9 MAAC) in front right out of the gate.  The Purple Eagles held the lead for most of the first half but Rider (11-17, 8-10 MAAC) came back to take the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining until intermission when the Broncs hit a three-pointer to give the visitors a 8-6 lead. 
 
Niagara responded almost immediately as Victoria Rampado knocked down a jumper to tie the contest 8-8 with 9:31 on the clock. Another bucket by Rampado sparked a 12-0 run by the Purple Eagles who stormed back to take a 20-8 lead with four and a half minutes remaining. Rampado scored all nine of her points on the afternoon during the run.

The Broncs were able to cut the deficit to only nine, heading into halftime down 20-11.
 
The two teams came out of the break to trade baskets over the first 12 minutes of play, but Rider would come no closer than five points. With under two minutes left in regulation, Niagara took its largest lead of the game, 34-21. The Broncs attempted to make a comeback by fouling and forcing NU to shoot free throws. However, the Purple Eagles took advantage after going 10-for-12 from the foul line in the final minute and a half of play to walk away with the 44-33 victory.

McGuinness led the team in rebounds with eight while also contributing four points on the afternoon.  Niagara finished the game making 15-of-20 free throws to shoot 75.0 percent from the charity stripe. 

NU held Rider to just 12-for-57 (21.1 percent) from the field as this was the first time the Purple and White have held an opponent to 33 points in a game since Feb. 13, 1980 (against Cortland).
 
With the win the Purple Eagles have tied Siena in fifth place in the MAAC. Niagara will be in action this Tuesday when they take on crosstown rivals Canisius as part of a doubleheader with the men's teams beginning at 5 p.m. on ESPN3.