RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Purple Eagles women's basketball team earned a 62-59 victory over Manhattan in the final seconds of the game on Sunday afternoon.

Game Summary
Final Score: Niagara 62, Manhattan 59
Leading Scorers: Kaylee Stroemple (15 points), Victoria Rampado (13 points)
Records: Niagara (5-12, 2-6 MAAC), Manhattan (5-12, 1-7 MAAC)
Location: Draddy Gymnasium – Riverdale, N.Y.

Game Recap

• The Purple Eagles and the Jaspers battled closely through the first three quarters of play and the score was knotted 43-43 going into the final quarter. With five and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Jamie Sherburne sank a three to put Niagara behind by only one point, 51-50.
• With less than two and a half minutes remaining in the game, the score was once again tied, 54-54.
• A huge play from Stroemple with 1:45 remaining gave Niagara a 56-54 lead, but the Jaspers quickly took back the lead, 57-56. Two free throws from Stroemple, however, put NU back on top, 58-57.
• Free throws from Tiffany Corselli and Stroemple in the final seconds of the game secured the win for the Purple Eagles.
• The Jaspers jumped out to an early lead to start the game, going on an 8-2 run. A three from Morgan Baughman cut Manhattan's lead, 8-5, with a little over five minutes remaining in the first quarter.
• The Purple Eagles and the Jaspers held tough on defense throughout the quarter and Niagara trailed Manhattan by only one point, 12-11, going into the second quarter.
• The score was tied twice in the first four and a half minutes of the second quarter. Another three from Baughman which just over five minutes remaining in the second gave the Purple Eagles the lead over the Jaspers. Baughman was fouled in the process and converted the four-point play to put Niagara ahead, 21-19.
• The Jaspers made a bucket to knot the score, 21-21, and pulled ahead of the Purple Eagles towards the end of the quarter. The Jaspers led 31-25 going into halftime.
• The third quarter continued to be a close battle between the Purple Eagles and the Jaspers.  After a layup from Rampado, Niagara took a 38-37 lead with a little under six minutes remaining in the quarter.

Inside the Numbers

• Stroemple led the Purple Eagles in scoring with 15 points. She also had a team-best three steals and five assists.
• Corselli and Rampado led the team in rebounding with seven rebounds each.
• Baughman also had double digit points for Niagara; she had 10 points.
• Adila Gathers scored her first points as a Purple Eagles with about seven minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles return home on Wednesday, Jan. 18 when they host Canisius at 7:00 p.m. for the teams' first Battle of the Bridge game of the season.

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for women's basketball updates at @NiagaraWBB. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEaxgles.