GAME 19
SCORE	Niagara 58 – Manhattan 54
RECORDS	Niagara (9-10, 5-2 MAAC) – Manhattan (3-14, 1-5 MAAC)
LOCATION	Draddy Gymnasium

 
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – With a 58-54 victory over Manhattan on Thursday, the Purple Eagles improved to 5-2 in MAAC play, their best conference start since the 2004-05 season when they went 6-1 through their first seven MAAC games.

Game Recap

• The Purple Eagles got off to an 8-2 lead over the Jaspers early in the first quarter. The Jaspers began to inch towards NU's lead, but a 3-pointer from Maggie McIntyre kept the Purple Eagles ahead, 11-6. Niagara went into the second quarter leading the Jaspers, 15-8.
• Another triple from McIntyre and a bucket from Valentina Pepic put the Purple Eagles ahead by 10 points, 22-12, with a little over three and a half minutes to play in the second quarter. McIntyre sank her third trey of the game with a little over two minutes to go, keeping Niagara ahead of the Jaspers, 25-14. A bucket from Kharysma Bryant with less than three seconds left in the first half helped NU to a comfortable 27-18 lead going into halftime.
• Another three from McIntyre opened scoring for the Purple Eagles in the third quarter, but Manhattan answered with a 7-0 run to cut NU's lead, 30-27. Four points from Jai Moore put NU ahead, 34-29, but a three from the Jaspers with a little under two and a half minutes left in the quarter tied things up, 34-34. McIntyre hit her fifth trey of the game, putting the Purple Eagles back on top, 37-34, but Manhattan answered with a three of their own, once again tying the score, 37-37. With about 1:10 left in the quarter, a sixth triple from McIntyre gave NU a five-point lead, 42-37, but a three from the Jaspers as time expired in the quarter put them down by only two points, 42-40, going into the fourth quarter.
• Manhattan quickly tied things up in the fourth quarter before taking the lead, 46-42, with plenty of time to play. Two free throws from Jordan Edwards and a bucket from Emerald Ekpiteta knotted the score, 46-46. Manhattan took back the lead, 48-46, but the Purple Eagles quickly answered with a game-tying bucket from Adila Gathers. Two more points from Ekpiteta and four points from Moore put Niagara back in the lead, 54-48, with just a little under two minutes to play. While the game remained tight, the Purple Eagles outlasted the Jaspers, earning the 58-54 victory to sweep the season series with Manhattan.

Coach's Corner

• "This was another exciting game that came down to the wire," said head coach Jada Pierce. "We continue to close out these games with poise and confidence. We can be proud of the overall effort tonight, but we are not satisfied. We will continue to stay hungry and put in the time to get better. To get a sweep in the MAAC is tough and we are pleased to have been able to do that tonight over a solid Manhattan team."

Eagle's Eye On…

• McIntyre led the Purple Eagles in scoring with 18 points. She made six  3-pointers, tying her career-high.
• Moore recorded her first double-double of the season with 11 points and a team-high and career-high 12 rebounds.
• Ekpiteta added 11 points, six rebounds and a team-high four steals. Gathers also brought down six rebounds.
• Edwards led the Purple Eagles in assists with four.

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles take on the Monmouth Hawks on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 2:00 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN3.

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