NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. — Jaeden Marshall hit a free throw with eight seconds remaining to lift Niagara to a dramatic 69-68 victory over Siena in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play Friday night.
 
How it Happened
In a game that featured 15 lead changes and 11 ties, with neither team leading by more than six it was the Purple Eagles (4-5, 1-0 MAAC) who secured their first conference win of the season despite nearly squandering a six-point lead in the final minutes.
 
Siena (4-5, 0-1) had taken a 66-63 lead late in the second half on Myles Wilmoth's 3-pointer, but Niagara responded with a clutch corner three of its own from Jahari Williamson, before Jaeden Marshall's free throw shooting and a ruckus Niagara crowd secured the win in the final seconds.  
 
Justice Smith led a balanced Niagara attack with 17 points, including four 3-pointers and four assists. Marshall finished with 13 points, while Olumide Adelodun and Jhaylon Martinez also scored 13 and 12 points respectively.
 
Major Freeman paced Siena with 17 points and Brendan Coyle added 12.
 
Niagara shot 48.9 percent from the field and connected on 17-of-20 free throws, while holding Siena to 44.4 percent shooting in the tightly contested battle.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara improved to 57-58 all-time against Siena, winning its third consecutive game over the Saints.
• Friday marked the first home win over Siena since March 3, 2022.
• The Purple Eagles finished 42.1 percent from 3-point land, their second-best shooting performance from three this season.
• Niagara improves to 4-0 this season when shooting over 48.0 percent from the field.
• Excluding the game against Houghton, each of Niagara's last two home wins have been decided by five or less points.
• Marshall's six makes at the line is tied for the most by a Purple Eagles this season. It is a season-high for the Hinesville, Ga., native.
• Smith matched his season-high points with 17, while making a season and career-best four three's.
• Smith led NU in rebounds and assists for the second and fourth times this season, respectively.
• Niagara's bench provided a crucial spark, outscoring Siena's reserves 41-21.
 
Up Next
Niagara will host Merrimack on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. inside the Gallagher Center. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+ and can be heard on 1400 AM.