PITTSBURGH – Niagara fell to undefeated Duquesne (6-0), 100-42, on Friday night at the Palumbo Center. Freshman guard Grace Cunningham (East Aurora, N.Y.) led the Purple Eagles with a career-high eight points.

The Purple and White jumped on the Dukes in the first minute and half, taking a 6-3 lead after a Kristina Walton (Cleveland, Ohio) layup, but Duquesne went on a 18-4 run to give the Dukes a lead they would keep.  

The Duquesne half-court trap forced seven of Niagara’s 18 turnovers in the first half. On the game, Niagara committed 26 turnovers leading to 32 Dukes points. The Purple Eagles were also hindered by foul trouble and poor shooting from the field. Niagara shot 23 percent from the field and double the foul count (24-12) in the game, including one disqualification.

Cunningham scored all of her points in the second half.  She scored Niagara’s first eight points in the half, including draining back-to-back 3-pointers.

Senior Kayleigh Scannell (Lowell, Mass.) had a steady performance on the night. She finished with seven points and five rebounds in 21 minutes.

Last season’s A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, Kristi Little, led the game with 19 points.

Niagara returns to Monteagle Ridge for an 11 am game versus the Binghamton Bears on Monday, Dec. 1.