HAMILTON, N.Y. – Junior Kristina Walton (Cleveland, Ohio) led all scorers with a career-high 14 points to lead the Niagara University women’s basketball team to a 78-39 non-conference win against Colgate Saturday afternoon on Cotterell Court.

The game marked the debut of Purple Eagles Head Coach Kendra Faustin, and she was very pleased with the complete effort that her team gave today.

"I’m happy with how hard we played, that for forty minutes we didn’t let up," said Faustin. "We played intense, in your face defense and it allowed us to make a statement early in the season."

Eleven Purple Eagles scored, including three in double digits. Besides Walton’s performance, freshman Liz Flooks (White Plains, N.Y.) scored 12 in her first collegiate game and Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) added 11.

With just a six point lead half way through the first half, Niagara utilized a 17-5 run to distance themselves from Colgate. Niagara continued to let their lead grow, up 33-14 at the half.

Colgate started to connect on their shots a bit better in the second half, but Niagara had built a 27 point lead somewhat early and just kept going for their first win of the season.

Niagara shot 45.6 percent from the field, as well as shooting nearly 25 percent from three point range. Niagara also forced 31 turnovers in a game that saw a strong overall performance from Niagara.

Colgate, 0-1, was led by freshman Evan Librizzi’s 12 points while Sami Kozlowski chipped in 8 points and Caitlin Gillard added 6 points.

The Purple Eagles (1-0) return to action Tuesday at 7 p.m. with their home opener against Youngstown State.