NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Behind the attack of Tasha Johnston and Jamee Stimson, Fordham University downed Niagara University, 30-26, 30-16, 30-12, Sunday afternoon in the Western New York Volleyball Invitational at the Gallagher Center.

Johnston, an all-tournament selection, and Stimson each had 13 kills as the Rams improved to 5-2 overall. Niagara fell to 1-2.

Game one started as a back-and-forth affair until Fordham ran off a string of six points to take an 18-11 lead as Johnston recorded five kills. The Purple Eagles fought back to make it 25-23 after three kills by sophomore Nicole Piette (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) and two kills and a solo block from junior all-tournament selection Maurin Lawrence (Corfu, N.Y./Notre Dame). The teams traded points until Fordham took a 28-24 lead. Stimson ended the game with a kill.

The Purple Eagles stayed close to Fordham early in game two before the Rams used a six-point run to open an 18-8 lead. Johnston added five kills and Stimson recorded four kills to help the Rams pull away for the 30-16 win.

In game three, Niagara used a kill by junior Jennifer Bryniarski (Amherst, N.Y./Sweet Home) to take a 1-0 lead before Fordham scored the next 11 points and cruised to the victory.

Piette finished with eight kills, seven in the first two games, to lead the Purple Eagles while Lawrence had four kills, a solo block and two block assists.

Niagara returns to action Sept. 8 when it meets Bucknell at 5 p.m. in the St. Francis (N.Y.) Invitational.

Western New York Invitational All-Invitational Team

Tasha Johnston, Fordham

Lizaiha Garcia, Buffalo

Nakia Thompson, Coastal Carolina

Ruth Boscaljon, Youngstown State

Jess Stackhouse, Canisius

                                                                                  Jenna Benigno, Quinnipiac