NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Despite a sizeable run in the second half, the Niagara Purple Eagles dropped their Thursday evening tilt against the Marist Red Foxes 75-66 at the Gallagher Center.
 
Three times throughout the second half, the Purple Eagles (9-13, 5-8 MAAC) cut the deficit to at least six points after Marist (15-7, 11-2 MAAC) built a lead as high as 20 points in the first half.  With 18:14 left and trailing 45-34, NU went on an 11-4 run that was capped by a layup from Sylvia Maxwell to bring the score to 49-43.
 
"I thought we came out in the second half ready to execute," head coach Kendra Faustin said. "We shot the ball well and picked it up on the defensive end which was the difference in making our runs."
 
A three-pointer by McGuinness brought the Purple Eagles within five, 51-46, but Marist was able to build its lead back to double-digits over the next two minutes. Baskets by Kaylee Stroemple and Kelly Van Leeuwen in the final minute of play brought the Purple Eagles back within single-digits, 70-62, but NU was forced to foul.
 
Niagara outscored Marist in the second half, 36-34, yet the Purple Eagles weren't able to get within more than eight points as the Red Foxes won 75-66. Van Leeuwen finished with a team-high three steals while Maxwell had a team-leading four assists on the night.

NU shot over 57 percent from the 3-point line, had a 39-31 rebounding advantage and an 11-4 second chance points advantage.
 
Victoria Rampado finished with a team-high 21 points and nine rebounds while McGuinness added 12 points after going a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. The senior also contributed five rebounds and three assists in the losing effort.
 
"We didn't shoot the ball particularly well inside the arc in first half," Faustin said.  "Marist has been a powerhouse in our conference for a long time and unfortunately, we came out jittery missing easy shots."

The Purple Eagles will continue their home weekend on Saturday, Feb. 7 against the Fairfield Stags at 1 p.m.