AMES, IOWA – Niagara put in a strong effort against the Iowa State Cyclones in its opening game of the American Family Insurance Cyclone Challenge in front of 7,691 fans at the Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones’ perimeter and low post game were too much for the Purple Eagles as Niagara fell 89-39.
Senior guard Kayleigh Scannell (Lowell, Mass.) led the Purple and White in scoring with a career-high nine points. Niagara (1-11, 0-2 MAAC) controlled the tempo and kept the eager crowd quiet in spurts in the first half. Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio), Rachele Folino (Novi, Mich.) and Scannell made a string of baskets to cut the lead to 26-18 with 7:15 left in the half.
The Cyclones (9-2, 0-0 Big 12) responded with a 3-pointer by Amanda Nisleit on their next possession to reenergize the crowd and ignite an 18-2 run to close the first half. Iowa State’s size posed a double threat for Niagara to handle. Kelsey Bolte (6’1’’), Heather Ezell (5’9’’) and Nisleit (6’0’’) were consistent 3-point shooters and efficient low post scorers.
The Cyclones entered the game 10th in the nation in 3-pointers made. On the game, Iowa State was 11-for-28 from behind the arc and accounted for more than half of its shots taken.
The story of the second half witnessed more 3-pointers by the home team, while Niagara struggled from the field. After shooting 43.5 percent from the field in the first half, which was the second best on the season, NU struggled to keep up with the pace in the second half. The Purple Eagles finished the second half 7-for-27 (25.9 percent) and 0-for-8 from the 3-point line.
Niagara will face the Lamar Cardinals of the Southland Conference in the consolation game on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. c.t.
