BUFFALO, N.Y. - A second half scoring drought hindered a spirited effort by the Niagara women's basketball team as it fell to Big 4 rival Buffalo, 58-42, on Tuesday at Alumni Arena.

 

"I was very pleased with our defensive efforts overall and I think we took a big step forward," head coach Kendra Faustin said. "Our young players started to play with the intensity of our upperclassmen."

 

Niagara (1-9) controlled the tempo in the first half by using an effective zone defense which help forced eight UB (5-5)  turnovers. The Purple Eagles also shot well from the field, shooting 44 percent (11-for-25) in the half. NU, who was playing without starters Kayla Stroman and Katie Gattuso, eventually cut an early deficit to 27-25 capped by an Ali Morris layup with 1:43 left in the half and was down 29-26 at halftime.

 

"We did a great job in the first half controlling the tempo, using the clock and taking good solid shots," Faustin said.

 

Neither offense clicked into high gear in the second half; the teams combined for 1-for-13 shooting with six turnovers in the first six minutes. The Purple Eagles defense was able to force contested shots, but NU was unable to capitalize on the offensive end. 

 

UB started the half on a 10-0 run and NU didn't score its first point of the half until the 10:15 mark when Chanel Johnson made two free throws. Johnson would also make NU's first field goal of the half, a 3-pointer, two minutes later. The Purple Eagles finished the second half with only three field goals.

 

"Buffalo turned up the defensive pressure (in the second half)," Faustin said.  "We weren't strong with the ball, had too many turnovers and took poor shots."

 

Freshman Shy Britton was the lone Purple Eagle to score in double-digit. She finished with 10 points and has scored in double-digit in three straight games. Senior Liz Flooks scored all eight of her points in the first half. UB's Kourtney Brown led the game with 15 points, six points fewer than her season averaged, and 18 rebounds. 

 

Niagara will have a week off before traveling to play the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.