|
Liz Flooks
|
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's basketball team (0-2) used a furocious second-half comeback to get within two points twice, but eventually fell in its home opener to Oakland (2-0), 74-64, in front of 484 fans inside the 'Taps' Gallagher Center on Sunday afternoon. Junior Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) set career highs with 26 points and six 3-pointers.
“We show a lot of character today playing against a very good Oakland team,” head coach Kendra Faustin said. “We are still learning how to mesh as a team.”
Niagara found itself down by 19 points early in the second half when McNamee’s 3-pointer at 13:35 spurred the Purple Eagles 27-10 run. Jaclyn Konieczka (Parma, Ohio), Rachele Folino (Novi, Mich.) and Harris were all key contributors in the run, while McNamee hit four 3-pointers to bring Niagara within two points at 52-50 with 7:38 remaining.
After Oakland’s Hanna Reising made a layup and hit a 3-pointer to build the Grizzlies lead to seven, Niagara went on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to two again, 59-57, with 4:59. Niagara, however, would not be able to get any closer. The Summit League Preseason Player of the Year, senior guard Jessica Pike, hit critical baskets to give Oakland control late in the game.
“We did a lot of good things today,” Faustin said. “We hit the boards well and got within two points twice; we just need to learn how to finish a good like today.”
After a sluggish opening 12 minutes, Jennifer McNamee drained her 100th career 3-pointer at 10:26 in the first half to cut Oakland’s lead to 21-11. Niagara called a timeout at 8:59 and the Purple Eagles went on a 6-0 run, spurred by a McNamee 3-pointer, to reduce the Grizzlies lead to 25-19.
Jennifer McNamee set a career-high 26 points and six 3-pointers and led the game points. McNamee is now tied for ninth all-time with 105 3-point field goals. Sophomore forward Liz Flooks (White Plains, N.Y.) added 10 points and five rebounds and Harris and Folino each had nine points.
Niagara will be on the road at Youngstown State on November 22 at 5:15 pm.
