ROCHESTER, MI - Despite a late run and three players in double-digit scoring, the Niagara University women’s basketball team dropped a 72-64 decision to Oakland University on Saturday afternoon. The loss drops the Purple Eagles to 3-9 on the season.

The Purple Eagles never gave up and they were rewarded with a run at the end of the game, which almost saw them pull it out.

"The girls worked hard after being down by twenty," stated assistant coach Katie Murphy. "We did a good job, but we definately saw plenty of things that we need to work on."

The first half started off at a torrid pace, with several lead changes within the first ten minutes of the game. After a jumper by Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) at the 10:39 mark, Oakland utilized a 27-12 run to break the game wide open. After the Golden Grizzlies run, the Purple Eagles found themselves down 45-30 at the half.

The second half started much like how the first ended, with Oakland going on a 6-0 run to take a commanding 51-30. Niagara kept hacking away at the lead, whittling it down to eight late in the game via two free throws from Sara Prybyl (Mars, Pa.). Niagara’s momentum came late in the game, but the Grizzlies held on to secure the eight point win.

For the Purple Eagles, Sarah Wilson (St. Catherines, Ont) scored 14 points and Harris netted 13. Oakland was led by Jessica Pike’s game-high 19 points.

The Purple Eagles will now get a chance to rest up, as they don’t play again until their first home game of the new year, on January 2 against Duquesne.