BUFFALO, N.Y. – Despite leading for over half the game, the Niagara women's basketball team fell to hometown rival Canisius, 54-45, on Thursday night.

"We did a really good job in the first half with limiting turnovers and also with the rebounding and I felt that was why we were up at the half," said Niagara head coach Jada Pierce. "Fast forward to the second half, we started with three turnovers in the first four possessions, which led to 3-point shots and any time that happens, we put ourselves at a disadvantage."

Kaylee Stroemple led the Purple Eagles in both scoring and rebounding; she had 17 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing her fifth double-double of the season. Sam Lapszynski and Jamie Sherburne both added eight points. Lapszynski also had seven rebounds.

Both teams got off to a quick start in the first quarter and with a little over one and a half minutes to go, the Purple Eagles and Griffs were tied, 12-12. With 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Jayla Nichols sank a 3-point shot, giving Niagara a 15-12 lead going into the second quarter.

Canisius came back quickly to start the second and tied up the score once again, 15-15. The game was tied three times in the second quarter, but 3-pointers from Tiffany Corselli and Sherburne helped Niagara gain back its lead and the Purple Eagles went into halftime leading 27-23.

The Griffs held Niagara to only four points in the third quarter and at the end of the third, Canisius led the Purple Eagles, 39-31. Stroemple had eight of the Purple Eagles' 14 fourth quarter points, including a bucket that put Niagara within five points of the lead, 50-45, with just under a minute left to play.

The Purple Eagles close out the regular season at Siena on Saturday, Feb. 27.

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