NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's basketball team (1-9; 0-2 MAAC) fell in defeat 64-43 to St. Bonaventure (7-2; 0-0 A-10) on the second Kids' Day game of the year, playing in front of the first advance sellout crowd in Niagara women's hoops history.

“The crowd was awesome; they brought a lot of energy for us,” head coach Kendra Faustin said. “We struggled with the lack of energy playing in the (Carrier) Dome against Syracuse on Sunday.  It’s great to have the kids at the game and be a part of the community.”

The Purple Eagles played in front of a record crowd of approximately 2,400 fans in the first-ever advance sellout in program history.

Niagara, however, seemed to let the energy and emotion effect its game play early on. The Purple Eagles rushed shots and missed easy layups. The Bonnies jumped to a 19-4 lead with 7:30 left in the first half.   The Purple and White closed the half well and cut the lead to 13, 29-16, at halftime.

After keeping SBU to 1-for-10 (10 percent) from the 3-point line in the first, the Bonnies exploded with 3’s to start the second. SBU ‘s Erica Schiefen nailed three-straight bombs to give the visitors a 24-point lead after four minutes played in the half.

Niagara continued to fight back into the game, but the closet the Purple Eagles could get was 17 points, 55-38, after Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) made a 3-pointer with 7:20 left.

On the game, the Purple Eagles were able to create shots but were ice cold from the field. Niagara shot 4-for-17 from 3’s and was 14-for-55 (25.5 percent) from the field. McNamee was the only Purple Eagle to score in double-figures with 14 points.

“I thought the defense was our bright point in the game today,” Faustin said. “However, we struggle offensively and it didn’t help that we started the game with 11 turnovers in the first six minutes. They (St. Bonaventure) executed well on defense and if we continue to not make shots, we are not going to win games.”

Niagara heads to Cleveland State to face the Vikings on Dec. 21 at 3 p.m.