LUBBOCK, Texas – The Niagara University women's basketball program opened the 2015-16 season with a 79-45 defeat to the Big 12's Texas Tech Lady Raiders on Friday.

Taylor McKay led NU in scoring with 12 points and chipped in five rebounds in 27 minutes of action. Victoria Rampado scored eight points and had a team-high 13 rebounds; Jamie Sherburne scored eight points and was one of three Purple Eagles (0-1) with two assists.

"This first game took us a half to get settled in, but once we did the team fought hard in the second half and played our style of basketball," said head coach Jada Pierce, who was making her debut leading the Purple Eagles.

A slow start by the Purple Eagles propelled Texas Tech (1-0) to a big advantage; however the Purple Eagles finished the game strong. The Lady Raiders jumped out to a 16-0 lead through the opening 3:44 before NU got on the board with baskets from Sherburne and McKay.

The Purple Eagles competed throughout the rest of the game, only getting outscored 38-33 in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Niagara and Texas Tech each scored 20 points with the Purple Eagles holding a 12-8 advantage in points in the paint and a 7-0 advantage in points off turnovers.

"As a team we are encouraged by such a strong second half," Pierce said. "We know moving forward that if we do two things – limit turnovers and control the boards – the outcomes will be more in our favor."

Niagara's next game will be its home opener on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. against Youngstown State.

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