NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Jaeden Marshall made the deciding free throw with 8.9 seconds remaining as Niagara nipped Siena Basketball 69-68 in a wild Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference finish at the Gallagher Center.
 
In a game which featured 15 lead changes and 11 ties, Siena (4-5, 0-1) reclaimed the lead one final time at 64-63 on a Myles Wilmoth three with 3:33 remaining. Wilmoth came off the bench to pour in a career-high 16 points on 6-9 shooting, including a perfect 4-4 from distance – his first three-point makes of the season – while adding eight rebounds.
 
The Saints maintained a 68-65 advantage following a pair of Justice Shoats free throws with 54 seconds left, but Jahari Williamson drilled the game-tying corner three at the other end with 38 ticks to go.
 
Siena couldn't cash in on the ensuing possession, Marshall secured the rebound, and was awarded a pair of free throws. After making the first and missing the second, the Saints secured the rebound, advanced the ball to midcourt, and called timeout with 6.2 seconds left.
 
On the final possession, Siena misfired on a driving layup but secured the offensive rebound and was fouled, leading to free throws with seven-tenths of a second remaining. But both attempts were off the mark as Niagara (4-5, 1-0) prevailed for the fifth time in the last six matchups between the longtime rivals. Ten of the last 11 meetings have now been decided by seven points or fewer.
 
Justice Smith came off the bench to post 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while fellow reserve Marshall added 13 for the Purple Eagles which received 41 bench points. Olumide Adelodun (13 points) and Jhaylon Martinez (12) also finished in double figures for Niagara which shot 58% (11-19) in the second half.  
 
Major Freeman paced the Saints with 17 points and five assists, while Shoats scored all 13 of his points in the second half – including the 1,000^th of his collegiate career – while dishing out six assists. The Lock Haven transfer became the first player since Jalen Pickett on Jan. 9, 2021 to record his 1,000^th career point while donning a Siena uniform.
 
The Saints dished out a season-high 18 assists while registering a season-low six turnovers. Siena entered play ranked 15^th from the bottom nationally in both assists (10.1) and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.71).
 
Brendan Coyle contributed 12 points for the Saints who shot 52% in the second half.
 
Siena wraps up the annual Western New York trip – and a seven-game stretch away from home – when they take on Canisius Sunday at 1 p.m. in Buffalo.

This postgame recap is proudly presented by The Brothers that just do Gutters, a proud partner of Siena Athletics. Trust the team that always comes through – on the court and for your home.