NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The Niagara women's basketball team returns to the Gallagher Center for its first home games of 2022 against Fairfield and Rider.
The Purple Eagles and Stags will tip-off Thursday at 2:00 p.m., while Niagara and the Broncs will play Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
Last Time Out:
• Niagara defeated Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius in overtime on Sunday, Jan. 9, by the final score of 87-86.
• The Purple Eagles were led by
Kyra Grimshaw, who registered career-highs in points with 23 and rebounding with nine.
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Olivia Mason earned her first double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
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Maddy Yelle and
Ally Haar also reached double figures with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
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Sydney Faulcon recorded her second double-digit rebounding effort with 10 boards against the Golden Griffins.
• Niagara finished the game with a field goal percentage of 42.1 percent, its second-best field goal percentage in a single game this season.
Niagara Notes
• Niagara leads the MAAC in offensive scoring, averaging 71.6 points per contest.
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Angel Parker is currently averaging a team-best 15.6 points per contest.
• The Purple Eagles also lead the league in steals per game (13.4), turnover margin (4.4), forced turnovers (25.9), offensive rebounds (17.1), and assists (13.7) per game.
• While leading the team in scoring, Parker also leads Niagara in assists (5.8) and steals (4.7) per game. Both are the best in the MAAC.
• Yelle leads the Purple and White and MAAC with a 55.3 percent mark from the field. The senior has made 47-of-85 shots this season.
• Haar and
Lore Porter lead the team with 13 3-pointers this season. In the season opener, Haar made a season-high six 3-pointers against Loyola (Md.).
• Three-time MAAC Rookie of the Week,
Aaliyah Parker, has grabbed a team-best 6.0 rebounds per game this season. The freshman has recorded two games with 10-plus boards, including a season-best 13 at Oakland on Nov. 12.
• Faulcon recorded her first career double-double against Saint Peter's on Dec. 17. The junior finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
• Mason is second on the team with 5.3 rebounds per game. The senior has five games with six or more boards, including a season-high 13 at Canisius last Sunday.
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Kyra Grimshaw posted a career-best 23 points in NU's win over Canisius. She finished the game 8-for-15 from the field and 3-for-4 from 3-point land.
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Brooklyn Jones played a season-high 28 minutes against the Golden Griffins, setting career-highs with eight points and five rebounds.
• As a team, Niagara is shooting 36.9 percent from the floor, 24.9 percent from 3-point range, and 67.5 percent from the line.
• The Purple Eagles grab 38.2 rebounds per contest, while its opponents snag 41.8 caroms a game.
Series History vs. Fairfield
• Niagara and Fairfield have met 66 times coming into Thursday's contest. The Stags lead the all-time series 41-25.
• Niagara's last win in the series came on Jan. 20, 2019, at home. The Purple Eagles defeated the Stags 71-68 in overtime.
• Fairfield has won the last four meetings between the two programs.
Series History vs. Rider
• Niagara and Rider will meet for the 54th time since 1987.
• The Purple Eagles have won 27 of the 53 meetings, including a win on Feb. 14, 2021, by the final score of 68-54.
• Niagara is 14-9 against Rider at the Gallagher Center.
Up Next
• Niagara hits the road for three games in six days, beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Rider. The Purple Eagles were initially scheduled to travel to Lawrenceville, N.J., on Dec. 30, but the game was postponed due to COVID protocols within the Rider program.
• Niagara will also travel to Monmouth on Jan. 20 and Marist on Jan. 22.
Stay connected with Niagara Women's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and purpleeagles.com,
and the Niagara Purple Eagles app.
