NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara University women's basketball team opened its home schedule with a 71-54 loss to the Horizon League's Youngstown State University Penguins.

Leading the Purple Eagles (0-2) in scoring were Victoria Rampado and Kaylee Stroemple, who both scored 12 points. Stroemple also racked up 10 rebounds and three assists, to have one of her best games in her career. Simone Hobdy added another 10 points for the Purple Eagles.

Niagara got off to a quick start, striking quickly on offense. Taylor McKay scored the first points of the game for the Purple Eagles, taking advantage of a rebound from teammate Emily Granruth. Niagara led for more than half of the first quarter.

With 4:34 left in the first quarter, Youngstown State took its first lead of the game at 7-6 and went to halftime leading 30-24. Victoria Rampado opened the scoring in the second half, converting a 3-point play to cut the lead to 30-27. However, the Penguins held onto the lead and pulled away in the fourth quarter.

While the Purple Eagles played aggressive offensively throughout the game, they struggled to defend the 3-point line, allowing the Penguins (2-0) to make 11 3-pointers.

"Defending the 3-point line was one of our keys to victory," said Purple Eagles head coach Jada Pierce. "If we could defend them on the 3-point line and limit them, we would have won the game."

The Purple Eagles turned the ball over only nine times during the game, which is less than half of the turnovers made in their season opener.

"We only had nine turnovers today which is very good for a Niagara basketball team," Pierce said. "That's something to build on and we've got to get the ball to the right people in the right spots."

Niagara's next game will be at home against Oakland University on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m.

For ticket information contact the Niagara Athletics Ticket Office at 716-286-8499, visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets ortickets@niagara.edu.  

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