NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Kayla Stroman’s 13 points led the Niagara women’s basketball team to its second-straight win over the Rider Broncs 62-58 on Friday night in the Gallagher Center.

Trailing 49-45 with less than eight minutes remaining, the Purple Eagles (8-8, 3-2 MAAC) went on an 8-2 run over the next three-and-a-half minutes to take a 53-51 lead with a Lauren Gatto jumper.  The Broncs (7-9, 2-3 MAAC) came back within a point, but Meghan McGuinness hit a three-pointer to maintain a four-point lead, 58-54. 

Rider made it back within a possession, but with 20 seconds remaining Shy Britton drove to the basket, made a layup, and drew a foul as NU extended its lead to 60-56.  The junior missed the free throw but Gatto drew a foul on the following rebound attempt and hit 1-of-2 chances to add to her team’s advantage. 

“We really worked on some situations in practice where we talked about as the clock is running down in a close game, we want to do what we do and I thought Shy did that tonight,” head coach Kendra Faustin said.  “Lauren did that tonight coming up with a big rebound, too.  I thought down the stretch defensively we did that; we kept playing, we didn’t get tight on our defense, and made great decisions.”

As time was running out, McGuinness was sent to the charity stripe with nine seconds left and hit 1-of-2 chances to give the Purple Eagles their final 62-58 victory.

Niagara finished the game with four players scoring in the double digits.  Stroman, who also had a game-high six assists, scored a team-high 13 points, both Gatto and Britton added 11 points, and McGuinness scored 10 points.  Gatto had a team-high eight rebounds.

“Kayla has been doing a much better job being decisive and really turning the corner and getting at the rim,” Faustin said.  “She had a big and-one that was big momentum-builder for us.  Being more aggressive at the rim [in the second half] instead of floating away from the rim to get some and get herself inline.”

Niagara forced 23 rebounds while committing only 12 of its own, recorded 11 steals and finished with 14 assists.  With tonight’s win, it is over .500 at home with a 5-3 record this season.

The Purple Eagles are back on the court Sunday afternoon when they host the Marist Red Foxes in a rematch of last year’s MAAC semifinal matchup at 2 p.m.  Tickets are available and information can be found by clicking here or calling (716)286-TIXX (8499)