ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — Francesca Schiro scored 23 points and dished out seven assists, leading Siena to an 84-64 victory over winless Niagara in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Times Union Center.

Nicole Melious added 20 points and five assists for the Saints, who improved to 8-12 overall. The Purple Eagles, one of two remaining winless teams in Division I, fell to 0-20.

The game was effectively decided by a dominant second-quarter stretch from Siena, which turned a narrow four-point lead after the first period into a commanding 20-point halftime advantage. After Niagara’s Jade Campbell opened the second-quarter scoring with a layup to pull within 20-18, the Saints unleashed a 21-4 run over the next seven and a half minutes.

Schiro and Melious were the catalysts. Schiro hit a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws during the surge, while Melious connected from beyond the arc and assisted on another basket. Alden Yergey, who finished with 11 points, capped the decisive run with a 3-pointer that gave Siena a 41-22 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the half. The Saints entered the break ahead 41-24.

Siena’s offensive efficiency was the story of the night. The Saints shot 50% from the field, making 30 of 60 attempts, and were an efficient 9 of 25 from 3-point range. They also capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 15 of 19 attempts. Defensively, Siena forced 17 Niagara turnovers, converting them into 17 points.

Niagara, by contrast, struggled with its shooting throughout. The Purple Eagles shot just 36.1% on 26-of-72 shooting and were a frigid 5 of 19 from 3-point range. They did hold a 40-34 edge in points in the paint and won the offensive rebounding battle 14-14, but could not overcome their poor perimeter shooting and Siena’s sustained offensive execution.

Kenedie Haruna led Niagara with 15 points off the bench, all in the second half. Chasity Wilson added 10 points for the Purple Eagles.

Siena maintained its comfortable lead throughout the second half. Every time Niagara showed a flicker of momentum, the Saints had an answer, usually from Schiro or Melious. Niagara cut the deficit to 16 points late in the third quarter following a 3-pointer from Haruna, but Siena’s Jamariah Turner responded immediately with a 3-pointer of her own to squash the rally.

The Saints’ lead ballooned to as many as 24 points in the fourth quarter before settling at the final 20-point margin. Kaiya Rain Tucker provided a strong interior presence for Siena with eight points, two assists and two blocks.

The victory was Siena’s second this season over Niagara, having defeated the Purple Eagles 107-69 on Dec. 19. Schiro continued her stellar play, following up recent performances of 26, 17 and 20 points in her last three outings.

Niagara’s search for its first win continues into a daunting stretch of conference play, having now lost 20 consecutive games dating back to last season.