Backed by a game-high 22 points from senior Alyssa Monaghan and classmate Michala Clay's first career double-double, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team topped Niagara, 68-54, on Tuesday evening at Hagan Arena.

Ahead by six to start the fourth quarter, the Hawks (1-3) had their lead cut to one, 47-46, as the Purple Eagles put together an 8-3 run over the first 2:56 of the period.

After trading baskets the next few minutes, Saint Joseph's pushed its lead to seven, 57-50, as freshman Katie Mayock and senior Kristalyn Baisden each beat the shot clock buzzer on consecutive possessions.

The Hawks closed the game out from there at the foul line, hitting 7-of-8 from the charity stripe to begin a seven game homestand with the victory.

Leading for all but 45 second of the contest, Saint Joseph's opened a 31-19 lead on a Clay layup late in the second quarter.

Niagara (1-4) slowly chipped away at the Hawks' lead, making it 44-38 after three quarters and carried that momentum into the fourth before SJU eventually got consecutive baskets to help close out the game.

For the game, SJU shot 47.2 percent from the field (25-of-52) and 82.4 percent from the foul line (14-of-17). 

Monaghan finished the night going 5-of-11 from the floor, including 3-of-8 from behind the arc, and hit 9-of-10 from the foul line for a season-best 22 points. Grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds and scoring 10 points, Clay posted her first career double-double, setting new single-game highs in the process.  Mayock posted a career-best 12 points to go with six rebounds and three blocked shots, while Baisden was the fourth Hawk in double figures, finishing with 12 points to go with three assists in her first start of the year.

At the other end, Jai Morre led Niagara with 14 points as the Purple Eagles finished the night going 18-of-53 from the field (34 percent), 5-of-13 from behind the arc (38.5 percent) and 13-of-16 from the foul line (81.3 percent).

Saint Joseph's returns to action this Saturday when it hosts Rider at noon in the first game of the Hawk Classic. Boston College and Loyola Maryland round out the tournament field and will play at 2 p.m.

Game Notes: SJU is now 2-0 all-time versus Niagara...The Hawks hit just 4-of-18 from behind the arc (22.2 percent)...Monaghan added a game-high five assists...Katie Jekot added seven points, four steals and five rebounds...Lula Roig finished with three points, two assists and two steals...Whisper Fisher added two points, a rebound and a blocked shot...Nailah Delinois grabbed a rebound...Mary Sheehan and Elizabeth Marsicano each saw action.

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