DETROIT, MICH. – Sam Lapszynski recorded another career-high scoring game in Niagara's 80-75 loss to Detroit on Sunday.

Lapszynski led the Purple Eagles in scoring with a career-high 27 points, surpassing her previous high of 24 points which she scored just two days ago in the Purple Eagles' overtime win against Cleveland State.

"Sam's been a part of the game plan all along," said Niagara head coach Jada Pierce. "With Rampado out, we knew we would give her the confidence and the opportunities to make shots."

Also leading the way for the Purple Eagles was Simone Hobdy; she led the team in rebounds with nine, her career-best. Taylor McKay and Kaylee Stroemple both had 12 points and two steals. Stroemple also had six rebounds.

Lapszynski scored the first points for Niagara, making a lay-up less than three minutes into the first quarter. The lead changed five times during the quarter, but McKay made a lay-up with seven seconds left, giving the Purple Eagles a 19-18 lead going into the second quarter.

Less than two minutes into the second quarter, the Purple Eagles were up 25-18, their largest lead of the game, but the Titans (1-4) battled back, and the score was tied 36-36 going into halftime.

Detroit began to pull away in the second half; with less than five minutes left in the third quarter, they took an 11 point lead, 44-55. But the Purple Eagles were persistent; with 3:42 left in the third quarter, Jamie Sherburne hit a 3-pointer, followed by a Lapszynski lay-up with less than two minutes to go. McKay added another lay-up and the Purple Eagles began the fourth quarter down by only six points.

In the fourth quarter, the Purple Eagles opened scoring with Lapszynski making a lay-up with an assist from Hobdy. With 9:03 left in the game, Kaylee Stroemple hit a 3-point shot, followed shortly by another lay-up from Lapszynski, putting Niagara down by only one point, 64-63. A good free-throw by Lapszynski tied the game up at 64 with 8:36 remaining on the clock. However, the Titans were again able to pull away from the Purple Eagles, handing Niagara its fourth loss of the season.

"We didn't defend the 3-point line well today," said Coach Pierce. "We also gave up a lot of lay-ups, which is a hard pill to swallow."
 
The Purple Eagles open conference play against Manhattan College on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m. in Riverdale, N.Y.

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