Box Score

HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Niagara women’s basketball team (2-5) used a last-second basket by Kayla Stroman to defeat the host Colgate Raiders (0-9) by a 61-60 score on Friday evening. 

Niagara trailed 60-59 with 29 seconds remaining, when the Purple Eagles looked for someone to step up. Stroman scored the game-winning basket with five seconds remaining in regulation.
 
“We are learning how to win,” head coach Kendra Faustin said after her first game back on the bench. "Despite some lapses, we made some strides tonight.”
  
The game began with the same back and forth play that it ended with.  In the first seven minutes there were six lead changes and two ties. 
 
With just under seven minutes played, freshman Meghan McGuinness hit a three-pointer to put Niagara in control for the remainder of the half.  While the Raiders were able to tie the game on a few occasions, the Purple Eagles never surrendered the lead and took a 24-22 lead into the break.

The lead would change four times in the first two minutes of the second half. A jumper by Meghan Waterman, keyed an 18-3 run for Niagara, paving the way for a 14-point Purple Eagle lead.

Colgate refused to fade away and would whittle away at the Niagara lead for the rest of the half until they eventually took a one-point lead, 60-59, with 29 seconds left to play.

Stroman led the Purple Eagles with 13 points on the night and added five rebounds and three assists. Lauren Gatto  pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.

“We went through some stretches where we played Purple Eagle basketball and we will look to build on that,” said Faustin.

Niagara will be back in action on Tuesday Dec. 6 when it travels to Albany for a 7pm tip-off.