NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. — Talia Dial poured in a game-high 22 points and Niagara mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally before falling short against Sacred Heart 70-65 on Saturday afternoon at Gallagher Center in Niagara University N.Y.
 
Dial shot 6-for-13 from beyond the arc and added two rebounds to lead the Purple Eagles' offensive attack. Jade Rutledge contributed 10 points and seven rebounds in the contest.
 
Sacred Heart jumped out to an early 19-11 lead after one quarter, but Niagara battled back throughout the contest. The Purple Eagles outscored the Pioneers 22-21 in the final period, making their most determined push down the stretch.
 
A pivotal moment came midway through the third quarter when Niagara trimmed a 10-point deficit to just two points. The Purple Eagles strung together consecutive baskets, with Freeman converting layups and Wilson connecting from the perimeter to cut Sacred Heart's lead to 38-36 with 3:37 remaining in the third.
 
Niagara's shooting improved as the game progressed, hitting 47.06 percent from the field in the third quarter and 46.67 percent in the fourth after a slow start. The Purple Eagles also dominated from long range compared to their opponent, knocking down six 3-pointers to Sacred Heart's two.
 
In the final minute, Dial drained a clutch 3-pointer to pull Niagara within 63-61 with 26 seconds left, capping a 9-2 run that gave the Purple Eagles hope. Wilson added a late layup to make it 68-65 with one second remaining.
 
Chasity Wilson finished with eight points and four assists, while Caliana Fenceroy added six points and four assists. The Purple Eagles' bench contributed 21 points compared to just 13 for the Pioneers.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara goes to 0-3 all-time against Sacred Heart
• Dial recorded all six of the Purple Eagles three-pointers
• Dial recorded a new career high in points with 22
• Kenedie Haruna recorded a career high in rebounds with six
• Niagara shot a season high from the field recording a 43.9%
• The Purple and White recorded a season high in assists with 12
• It marked the first game this season Niagara did not recorded a block
• The Purple Eagles recorded a season low in steals with five
 
Up Next
Women's basketball begins a three-game road stretch as they take on Siena on Thursday January 29 for a 6 p.m. tipoff