Niagara University, N.Y. – Niagara mounted a late-game comeback but ultimately fell to Siena 82-79 on Friday night at Gallagher Center. 

The Purple Eagles fell to 5-16, 2-9 MAAC, while the Saints improved to 15-7, 8-3 MAAC.

Niagara got out to a hot start with an 8-2 run to start the game with Josiah Sabino leading the way with four points.

Siena mounted an 8-0 run of their own within the next two minutes to grab a 10-8 lead. A three pointer from Vice Zanki ended the Saints run and gave the Purple Eagles back the lead.

The rest of the half was very back-and-forth with neither team able to create a lead larger than three points. Sabino led the Purple and White with nine points followed by Justin Hawkins with six and Landon Williams with five. The Purple Eagles went into halftime only down two, 42-40.

Out of the halftime break Siena grew their lead to seven in the first six minutes. Layups from Reggie Prudhomme and Zanki followed by a three from Hawkins gave Niagara their first points of the half.

The second half was much like the first with the back-and-forth pace with the Saints maintaining a seven to 10 point lead for most of the final 20.

Back-to-back three from Williams and Zanki, followed by a two from Sabino brought it to a 69-63 game with 3:57 remaining.

Siena extended their lead to 11 with just a minute remaining, but back-to-back three pointers from Zanki and Hawkins kept the Purple Eagles in it.

Late game free throws for the Saints wrapped up the contest with Niagara ultimately falling 82-79.

Game Notes

Niagara is now 57-61 all-time against Siena

The Purple Eagles had four players in double-digits for the third time this season

Williams set a career-high with 18 points

Sabino led the Purple and White with a season-high 19 points

Hawkins recorded a career-high in assists with eight

Up Next

Niagara wraps up the home weekend Sunday February 1 against Marist at 2 pm inside the Gallagher Center.