LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – Junior Safiatu Kolliegbo scored a game-high 27 points, but Siena pulled away late to defeat Niagara 65-57 and hand the Purple Eagles their third-straight loss on Thursday night at the UHY Center.
 
How it Happened
The Purple Eagles (1-8, 0-1 MAAC) struggled from the field, shooting just 27.7 percent, including a 15.8 percent mark from 3-point range in their conference opener.
 
Kolliegbo was efficient in her scoring outburst, going 9-of-21 from the field and 8-of-11 from the free throw line while adding six steals. However, the rest of Niagara's offense couldn't find its rhythm, as no other Purple Eagle scored more than nine points.
 
Teresa Seppala led Siena (4-5, 1-0) with 20 points, while Anajah Brown recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Siena led for over 24-minutes of action from the tail end of the first quarter until the 8:44 mark of the fourth when Niagara tied the game at 47. However, an 8-0 run over the next two minutes propelled the Saints the rest of the way as they went on to outscore the Purple Eagles 18-10 for the remainder of the contest.  
 
Siena sealed the win at the free throw line, where it shot 81.5 percent (22-of-27) for the game.
 
Jordyn Williams contributed eight points and eight rebounds for Niagara.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara moves to 39-52 all-time against Siena.
• The Purple and White forced 35 Siena turnovers, its third game this season with 30 or more forced turnovers.
• Niagara recorded 15 steals in the loss, its seventh game with at least 15 steals.
• Kolliegbo's 27 points is the most by a Purple Eagle since Aaliyah Parker dropped 29 against the Saints on Feb. 11, 2023.
• Kolliegbo's season-high eight makes at the charity stripe is the most by a Purple Eagle this season. The junior also set season-highs in steals (six), and field goals made (nine).
• Otis led Niagara on the glass with a career-high eight caroms, surpassing her previous career-high of six set at Duquesne.
 
Up Next
Niagara finishes up its three-game road trip at Merrimack on Saturday, Dec. 21. The Purple Eagles and Warriors will tip-off at 2 p.m. from Lawler Arena.
 
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