NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s basketball team was defeated by the Rider Broncs, 72-59, on Friday night at the Gallagher Center. Freshman guard Ali Morris (Parkersburg, W.Va.) led the Purple Eagles with 14 points.

“In the first half, we did well defensively but we didn’t do the little things well in the second half,” head coach Kendra Faustin said.

Niagara (1-20, 0-10 MAAC) struggled to hit its stride on offense on the night, despite a strong first half showing.

Down by 10 points with seven minutes remaining in the first half, Niagara went on a 15-5 to tie the game.  

Guards Erika Harris (Gahanna, Ohio) and Morris combined to bring Niagara level. Harris scored five-straight points to cut Rider’s lead to 30-29 with 1:52 left. Morris, then, drained a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left in the half to tie the game at 32-32.

Rider (7-14, 4-6 MAAC) made a 3-pointer with 24 seconds to take a 35-32 halftime lead.

The Broncs started the second half on an 18-4 run to give Rider a cushion that Niagara could not pop.

The Purple Eagles will host the Saint Peter’s Peahens on Sunday at 2 p.m.