NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's basketball team defeated the Rider Broncs, 68-56, to win its fourth-straight game on Saturday from the Gallagher Center. Four Purple Eagles scored in double-figures in the win that extended their longest win streak since Nov. 2006.  

Niagara (9-13, 6-5 MAAC) was paced by excellent guard play from Kayla Stroman and Ali Morris. Stroman finished the game with a team-high 14 points and scored in double-figures for the fourth-straight game. Morris had another solid game against Rider, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.

The Purple Eagles also had contribution from forwards Rachele Folino and Liz Flooks with both finishing the game with 13 points and five rebounds. Folino and Flooks combined for seven points in the first half as Niagara fell behind early. Niagara found itself trailing by its largest deficit of eight points with eight minutes remaining in the half. NU responded by closing the last five minutes in the half on a 15-3 run to take a 32-27 halftime advantage.

"We stepped up the defensive intensity in the final eight minutes in the first half," head coach Kendra Faustin said. "I'm really happy with our defensive effort lately and watching them believe they could play great defense."

Niagara used a balanced scoring attack and a stingy defense to balloon to its largest lead at 60-39 with seven minutes left in the game. The Purple Eagles forced 21 Broncs turnovers in the game to force at least 20 turnovers in the last three games. 13 of those 21 turnovers were steals which tied a season-high, which Meghan Waterman attributed to six of those steals for a career-best output. 

Niagara has won six of their last seven games and is now tied with Manhattan for third place in the conference. The Purple Eagles' ninth win are their most under Faustin.

"I'm really happy for our players especially our juniors and seniors that have work for this for so long and to see it come into fruition is a really big deal for them," Faustin said.  

The Purple Eagles will look to close out their five-game homestand with a sweep when they play the Loyola Greyhounds on Monday night at 7 p.m.