Feb. 1, 2007

Final Stats

Niagara Un., N.Y. - Junior forward Laura Menty exploded for 27 points, but that proved not to be enough for the Saints as they fell to Niagara 72-68 in overtime at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles used senior guard Chantelle Wilson's career high 19 points to get past the Saints.

The Saints entered halftime with a 34-31 advantage after a Menty lay-up with just seconds remaining. Junior guard Melissa Manzer recorded for 11 of her 14 points in the first 20 minutes. The Saints shot a phenomenal 48% from the field in the first half.

Niagara battled with Siena in the second half. With 14:22 remaining, Purple Eagles junior forward Sarah Wilson drained a 3-pointer to put Niagara up 42-39.

Siena went on a scoring drought for seven and a half minutes midway through the half allowing the Purple Eagles to rally for a 12-1 run. This gave Niagara their biggest lead of the game holding a 50-39 advantage with 9:53 remaining.

Menty carried the Saints on her back as she was responsible for 19 of the team's 27 second half points. The Saints chipped away at the Purple Eagles lead down the stretch. Over the last five minutes of the game, Menty was unstoppable registering 10 of Siena's last 12 points.

With just four seconds remaining in regulation, Manzer dished the ball to Menty in the lane who had her defender pined. She turned and banked one in to send the game into overtime tied at 61 apiece.

Just seconds into overtime, Wilson knocked down a 3-pointer to put Niagara back on top. Manzer came down court and immediately responded as she drained a trey that evened the game at 64-64.

Then with 3:31 remaining, sophomore guard Shondaya Burrell drove through traffic and sank a lay-up to give the Saints their first lead since 15:56 in the second half (66-64).

Niagara took the hit and responded with four unanswered points off jumpers from junior guard Cathy Rutter and Wilson.

Siena had three shot opportunities down just two points with 40 seconds remaining. Katelyn Dooley back rimmed an open 3-point look. Manzer gathered the rebound and attempted another three pointer that rattled out. Dooley then grabbed the loose ball off of Manzer's shot and slightly missed a 3-pointer from the corner.

Niagara would hit their free-throws down the stretch and escaped with a 72-68 win on their home floor.

The Saints shot a mere 17% from 3-point range going 3-for-18 from beyond the arc. Sophomore forward Heather Stec pulled down a game high 10 rebounds and added four points. Burrell finished with 11 points on the night.

With the loss, the Saints fall to 5-16 overall and 4-7 in league play. Siena has yet to win a road game this season standing 0-10.

The Saints return to action on Saturday when they take on Canisius in Buffalo, N.Y. Tip time is slated for 2 p.m.