NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women's basketball team continued their impressive offensive performance in a 71-49 victory over Detroit in their home opener on Saturday evening at the Gallagher Center.

Junior guard Taylor McKay came off the bench to lead Niagara with 14 points, six assists and six rebounds. Val McQuade was 3-for-7 from beyond the arc finishing with 12 points and five rebounds, while Victoria Rampado added 10 points. Kaylee Stroemple also impressed the crowd in her home debut, making all four of her attempts from the field and finishing with eight points and a team-high nine rebounds.

"Taylor is so talented; that's the way she is capable of playing night in and night out," said Kendra Faustin continued. "She worked really hard on her midrange shot so you have to guard her and obviously she's great at getting to the rim and making good decisions."

UDM (1-4) led 11-3 over the first three minutes of the game, but the Purple Eagles (2-3) fought back to close the half with a 30-25 lead.

The Purple Eagles came out on fire in the second half, going on a 23-5 run, which was led by Stroemple who scored six of her eight points. Niagara took its largest lead of the game, 67-38, after a beautiful layup by freshman newcomer Simone Hobdy with 3:12 left in the game. NU finished the game with a jumper by sophomore guard Tiffany Corselli to claim the 71-49 win.

The Purple Eagles shot 60 percent (18-for-30) from the field in the second half and 50.9 percent for the game while making eight three-pointers and leading by double digits for the final 13 minutes of the game. Detroit shot just 30.2 percent (19-for-63) for the game and 8-for-29 (27.6 percent) from 3-point range.

"I am really pleased with our second half effort in particular," said Faustin ."I thought we were aggressive and I am was impressed with the poise and maturity of our group to come out in the second half to make those changes."

NU had 22 assists for the game while claiming a 44-28 advantage on the boards. The Purple Eagles also had a 30-16 advantage in points in the paint and 38-19 in points off the bench.

Niagara will open up league play as it hosts Saint Peter's on Friday, Dec. 5 at 6:00 p.m.