Purple Eagles Up For The Challenge

Niagara will face the Duquesne Dukes on Sunday at 2 p.m. from the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles are coming off of a tough overtime loss to Big Four rival the Buffalo Bulls on Friday night in their season opener.

The Purple Eagles had four players score in double-figures - Jennifer McNamee (22), Liz Flooks (17), Rachele Folino (10) and freshman guard Kayla Stroman (10). Niagara¡¦s pressure defense forced 28 turnovers.

Ready for Action

- Niagara opened the season with a thrilling overtime loss to Big Four rival Buffalo.

- The Purple Eagles scored 40 points in the first half to take a 40-38 lead into halftime. The last time Niagara scored 40 points in a half was on March 5, 2009 in the MAAC Tournament First Round against Rider; NU scored 40 points in the second half and won the game 71-67.

- Niagara's 79 points are the most it has scored in an opener since beating the Akron Zips, 97-78, in the Gallagher Center to start the 1992-93 season. The Purple Eagles also scored the most points versus UB since Dec. 12, 2003 when they beat the Bulls at home 87-75.

- Four Purple Eagles scored in double-figures.

- Freshman Kayla Stroman and Megan White made their collegiate debuts. Stroman scored 10 points, had eight rebounds and six assists. ƒn

- Duquesne leads the all-time series, 10-2, and have won the last five meetings.

Last Time Out...

Niagara 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 led the Purple Eagles with 22 points.

Opening Day Record

Niagara is 16-20 all-time on opening day. The Purple Eagles have won their previous two openers both against the Colgate Raiders 76-62 on November 10, 2006 and 78-39 on November 10, 2007 before losing at Big Ten power Michigan State last season. 

Strong Debut For Stroman

Freshman guard Kayla Stroman did not wait long to make an impression on Niagara fans nor its opponents. The former Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) standout had a solid debut starting at point guard for the Purple Eagles in the season opener. NU, who is starting a freshman point guard for the second-straight season, was paced by Stroman who played in 42 minutes. She finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals.

On the Court

Duquesne Dukes (1-0)

Duquesne lost only one player from last season¡¦s 20-12 team which set a school record in wins and accepted its first-ever postseason invitation (WNIT). The Dukes return four of their top five scorers: Rachel Frederick, Keri Pryor, Samantha Pollino and Alex Gensler. The Dukes opened the season with a 74-69 win at Cornell.

Against the Dukes (Duquesne leads 10-2)

Niagara trails in the series that began on December 16, 1979, 2-9. Niagara won that meeting on that day, 80-51, as part of the Scranton Poinsettia Tournament. The Purple Eagles only other win came on December 8, 1992, 78-73, at the Gallagher Center.

Last Meeting ¡V November 28, 2008,

Niagara 42, Duquesne 100

PITTSBURGH ¡V Niagara fell to undefeated Duquesne (6-0), 100-42, on at the Palumbo Center. Grace Cunningham led the Purple Eagles with a then-career-high eight points.

Against the A-10

Niagara has a 27-52 record against teams in the A-10 conference. The most opponents the Purple Eagles have played against is Big Four rival St. Bonaventure; the Bonnies hold a 30-22 advantage. Niagara¡¦s best record versus a A-10 team is 2-1 against Saint Joseph.