The Tip-Off

The Youngstown State Penguins (0-2) will play host to the Niagara women’s basketball team (0-2) at the Beeghly Center on Saturday night at 5:15 pm. This will be the Purple Eagles’ first of two trips to the state of Ohio this season. 

Start The Clock

-  Niagara’s 88.9 (16-18) free throw percentage leads the MAAC.

-  Jennifer McNamee made her 100th career 3-pointer against Oakland.

-  Seven players hail from the state of Ohio.

-  Niagara is 5-16 all-time in the state of Ohio.

-  The Purple Eagles have won the last three meetings versus Youngstown State.

-  Niagara is 12-21 all-time versus the Horizon League.

Last Time Out

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women’s basketball team (0-2) used a ferocious 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, Nov. 16. Junior Jennifer McNamee set career highs with 26 points and six 3-pointers.

Charity Line Success

Niagara is shooting 88.9 percent from the free-throw line in two games this season. The Purple Eagles were a perfect 10-for-10 in their season opener at Michigan State. Niagara sits atop of the MAAC in free throw percentage and is tied for second in the nation.

Minimum 15 attempts

1. Vermont            89.5 % (17-19)

2. Niagara             88.9 % (16-18)

    Oregon State    88.9 % (16-18)

4. Air Force            86.7 % (13-15)

5. Princeton           85.2 % (23-27)

Raining 3’s

Jennifer McNamee has entered the 100 3-pointer club at Niagara. The Oxford, Ohio native made her 100th career 3-pointer at 10:26 in the first half against Oakland on Nov. 16. McNamee went on to set a career-high in points (26) and 3-pointers (6) in the game. She is now tied for ninth with Ann Mimm with 105 3-pointers.

Homecoming Part Deux

Last weekend, a few members of the Niagara women’s basketball team made a visit back to their home state of Michigan. This Saturday’s game at Youngstown State will bring a flock a Purple Eagles to Ohio for their homecoming. Seven players and one coach called the Buckeye State home: Paige Faine (Van Buren), Erika Harris (Gahanna), Jaclyn Konieczka (Parma), Jennifer McNamee (Oxford), Jacy Schulz (Middleburg Heights), Kristina Walton (Cleveland), Meghan Waterman (Dayton) and assistant coach Jarrod Mulheman (Uhrichsville).

The seven players are tied for second for the most players hailing from one state that is not where the school is located. Clemson leads women’s basketball with eight players from Georgia and Niagara is tied with UCF and South Carolina with seven players from Georgia.

School (state)                         Players from that State

Clemson (Georgia)                                       8

Niagara (Ohio)                                               7

UCF (Georgia)                                               7

South Carolina (Georgia)                            7

George Mason (Maryland)                           6

Marist (Ohio)                                                   6

S.E. Louisiana (Texas)                                 6

On the Court

Youngstown State Penguins

The Penguins have lost their first two games of the season, including their home opener against Buffalo on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Freshman guard Macey Nortey leads the team with 10.5 ppg and senior cener Nikita LaFleur leads the team with 7.0 rpg for first-year head coach Cindy Martin. Youngstown State returns two starters from last season’s and was picked ninth in the Preseason Horizon League Poll.

Against the Penguins (YSU leads 6-3)

Last Meeting - November 13, 2007, Niagara won 87-76

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – With four players scoring in double digits, including a career-high 20 points from senior Sarah Wilson, the Niagara University women’s basketball team defeated Youngstown State, 87-76.