ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Noah Thomasson scored 18 points and Aaron Gray hit the decisive three in the waning seconds as fifth-seeded Niagara defeated No. 4 seed Siena Basketball 71-65 in the MAAC Quarterfinals at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
 
The MAAC's leading scorer and a First Team All-MAAC selection, Thomasson led four players in double figures while adding five rebounds and five assists for Niagara (16-14), which advances to the MAAC Semifinals against top-seeded Iona Friday at 6 p.m. Joe Kasperzyk added 16 off the bench for the Purple Eagles who had entered postseason play having lost five of their previous six.
 
Third Team All-MAAC selection Javian McCollum wrapped up a stellar sophomore season by scoring a game-high 24 points while adding a career-high nine assists for Siena (17-15), which ends its once promising 2022-23 season on a six-game losing streak. The Saints had entered February 9-2 and in first place in the MAAC before dropping eight of their final 10 games, albeit six of which came by just one possession and/or in overtime.
 
Siena scored the first six points, but cooled off midway through the first half, missing 10 straight shots. Niagara capitalized to build as much as nine-point first half lead, and took a 34-26 advantage at the break.
 
The Purple Eagles extended their advantage to as many as 11 points on a pair of occasions early in the second half, before the Saints switched to a 1-3-1 zone which ignited a rally.
 
Siena scored nine straight to rally within 45-44 and, after Niagara answered with the next four points, the Saints responded with a mini 8-2 run to reclaim a 52-51 lead on a McCollum three with 8:17 remaining. However, the Purple Eagles punched back in a see saw second half with eight straight out of a timeout to take a 59-52 lead with 5:18 left.
 
With their season hanging in the balance, Siena made one final run. MAAC Rookie of the Year Michael Eley connected for consecutive clutch baskets to pull the Saints back within a point at 66-65 with 42 seconds to go. But Niagara took the ensuing possession deep into the shot clock and Gray nailed a left wing three with 12 seconds to go to seal it.
 
Eley finished with 16 points on 7-11 shooting to cap his standout freshman season for Siena, which has dropped three straight MAAC Tournament contests. Jared Billups added 12 points for the Saints who lost for just the fifth time in 36 MAAC Tournament matchups as the higher seeded team, albeit for the third straight season.
 
Gray scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds and David Mitchell chipped in 11 for the Purple Eagles which shot 49% while holding Siena to just 38% shooting.
 
Despite not securing the ending that they wanted, the Saints secured their program record fifth straight top-three MAAC finish. Siena achieved a winning non-conference record for the first time in seven years – highlighted by high-major wins over Florida State and Seton Hall – and won seven straight midway through the season.