SANBORN, N.Y. (Interstat) — Saint Peter’s defeated Niagara 81-72 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Gallagher Center. The Peacocks built a lead with a strong first half, taking a 43-40 advantage into halftime. They then held the Purple Eagles to just 10 points in the third quarter to pull away. Niagara’s Talia Dial scored a game-high 20 points in the loss. Katarina Veljovic added 15 rebounds for the Purple Eagles. Saint Peter’s improved to 3-8 overall. Niagara remains winless at 0-11. Attendance was 152.

Winless Niagara Hosts Struggling Saint Peter’s in MAAC Matchup SANBORN, N.Y. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory and an end to lengthy losing streaks will meet Sunday when the Saint Peter’s Peacocks face the Niagara Purple Eagles at Gallagher Center. Both programs enter with difficult non-conference records. Saint Peter’s is 1-8, with its lone win an 83-31 victory over Division III Lehman on Nov. 25. The Peacocks have lost five straight since, most recently a 57-34 home defeat to Fairleigh Dickinson on Dec. 10. Niagara is 0-9, facing one of the nation’s toughest early schedules. The Purple Eagles’ losses include a 130-32 setback at Ohio State and an 84-52 defeat at Cleveland State last Saturday. They have not played since that game, an eight-day break preceding conference play. The matchup features two of the league’s top scorers. Saint Peter’s will rely on guard De’Naya Rippey, who averages 12.6 points per game. She has scored in double figures in five straight contests, including a 15-point effort against Monmouth on Dec. 7. Niagara’s offense is paced by guard Kenedie Haruna, who is averaging 11.0 points. She led the Purple Eagles with 13 points off the bench in their last outing against Cleveland State. Defensive struggles have plagued both sides. Saint Peter’s has averaged just 42.6 points during its five-game skid, while Niagara has allowed opponents to score 80.2 points per game this season. Sunday’s contest is the MAAC opener for both schools. The Peacocks begin a stretch of nine conference games in their next ten outings. Niagara opens a two-game road swing in MAAC play after this home contest, traveling to Sacred Heart on New Year’s Day. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.