COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Niagara University women’s basketball (0-1) team came up short at Maryland (2-0) Sunday, dropping an 82-74 game at the Comcast Center on the campus of the University of Maryland.

Senior Colleen Toetz (Parma, Ohio/Regina) led the Purple Eagles attack with 24 points on 10 of 17 shooting. She also had a team-high five rebounds and four assists. Junior Eva Cunningham (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) was 7 of 11 from the floor for 20 points and senior Anne Mimm (Girard, Pa./Girard) chipped in with 12.

"I am very proud of our girls effort," head coach Bill Agronin said. "We played a 40-minute game today. We had our chances to build a lead, but their size and athleticism killed us."

Senior Jessica Kemp (Niagara Falls, Ont./A. N. Myer) hit a jumper that gave Niagara its first lead of the game 9-8 five minutes into the contest. After a basket by the Terapins Chrissy Fisher at 7:15, Cunningham hit a jumper that lead to a 6-0 run. The lead would flip-flop the remainder of the half, with Maryland closing on a 7-3 run to close out the half leading 38-33.

The Purple Eagles came out cold to start the second half, failing to produce on their first four possessions while committing two turnovers. Cunningham broke an 8-0 Maryland run with a layup at the 2:51 mark to bring Niagara within 11. The closest Niagara would get was five with 1:35 remaining and Maryland made a final charge making six out of six free throws to close out the game.

Crystal Washington led Maryland with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Kalika France had 13 points while Chrissy Fisher finished 6 of 8 from the floor for 14 points.

Maryland’s Shay Doran, who scored 25 points in its opener, was held to only four. "Eva and Colleen did a great job shutting down Doran," Agronin said. "I saw a lot of positives with today’s effort. We did everything right except rebound. They had 15 second-chance points, while we only had two. But overall I am really proud with the effort."

The Purple Eagles were out rebounded, 43-28.

Niagara returns to the court Dec. 2 as it hosts Cleveland State at 7 p.m. at the Gallagher Center.

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