“I am so proud of this group for digging in on the defensive end (and) that is certainly why we were successful versus a very good Bucknell team,” head coach Kendra Faustin said.

Niagara (1-6) used a total team effort in defeating Bucknell. The Purple Eagles held the Bison to a season-low 41 points and forced 28 turnovers, which are three more than their average. Niagara brushed off a sluggish shooting peformance in the first half with a season-best 60 percent from the field in the second half.

The Purple Eagles took a 19-18 lead into halftime and exploded with 47 points in the second half. Sophomore guard Ali Morris (Parkersburg, W.Va.) scored a season-high 14 points and she sparked NU’s run which put them ahead for good. Trailing 31-30 with 13:40 remaining, Morris stole the ball from Joyce Novacek, who led the game with 22 points, and went coast-to-coast for the layup. Morris got another steal on the Bison’s next possession and then converted a three-point play.

The five points were a part of 13 consecutive points by NU in a 21-2 run. Freshman guard Kayla Stroman (Syracuse, N.Y.) made two free throws to give Niagara its largest lead at 66-38 with 3:04 remaining. Stroman finished the game with a career-high 17 points to lead the Purple Eagles in scoring.

“They (Kayla and Ali) stepped up," Faustin said.  "Kayla has an unbelievable poise about her and Ali has really turned it up on the defensive end.” 

Liz Flooks (White Plains, N.Y.) scored 16 points and Jennifer McNamee (Oxford, Ohio) added 15 points. Niagara allowed its fewest points since beating Colgate 78-39 to start the 2007-08 season. 

Niagara is back on the road to face in state rival Binghamton on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.