NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's basketball team took Big Four rival the Buffalo Bulls into overtime, but fell 87-79 in the season opener from the Gallagher Center. Senior guard Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) led the Purple Eagles with 22 points.

“At times (tonight) we showed glimpses of how really good we could be,” third-year head coach Kendra Faustin said. “I was pleased with the defensive effort.”

Niagara (0-1) had four players in double-figures, including freshman guard Kayla Stroman (Syracuse, N.Y.). The former Christian Brothers Academy standout played like a seasoned veteran in her first collegiate game; she finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Stroman made a key play late in the second half to help give NU the lead. She made a 3-pointer to bring NU within two points, 67-65, with 2:22 remaining. On Buffalo’s (1-0) next possession, she stole the ball, got her own rebound and dished the ball to McNamee, who found an open Ali Morris (Parkersburg, W.Va.) in the corner and drained a 3-pointer to give the Purple Eagles the lead at 68-67.

With 1:16 remaining, McNamee hit a 3-pointer to give NU a 71-70 lead. The Bulls' Abby Dowd made one free throw to tie the game at 71-71with 50 seconds left. The Purple Eagles forced one of their 28 cause turnovers with 10 seconds left in regulation. Morris had her buzzer beater hit the front of the rim as the game went into overtime.

In overtime, foul trouble finally caught up to Niagara as the Purple Eagles never led in overtime.

The Purple Eagles smothered the Bulls with intense defensive pressure and outrebounded the Bulls on the offensive board, 24-16. Niagara built a first half lead as large as seven and was cheered off the court with a two-point halftime lead.

McNamee, who led NU in scoring last season, led the team with 22 points and was 5-for-13 behind the arc. Liz Flooks (White Plains) had 17 points, Rachele Folino and Stroman both finished with 10 points. Buffalo had a huge advantage at the free-throw line; the Bulls were 26-43 while NU only went to the line 14 times. Kourtney Brown led the game with 31 points.

NU is back on the court at home versus Duquesne on Sunday at 2 p.m.