Niagara University, N.Y.—The Niagara Women's Basketball team played La Salle in their home opener on Saturday. Despite outscoring La Salle 44-29 in the second half, the Purple Eagles fell to the Explorers 83-64.
Game Recap
First Quarter

• The Explorers opened the game by jumping out to an 11-4 lead to start the game.
• Niagara couldn't get much going on the offensive in the opening quarter as the shot 5-17 from the field.
• Aaliyah Parker led the team in the opening quarter as she had six points. Angel Parker and Maddy Yell were the other two Purple Eagles to score in the opening quarter as they had four and two respectively.
• Niagara caused six turnovers along with two steals in the opening ten minutes.

Second Quarter

• Just like the first quarter La Salle jumped out to an early lead and built a 50-19 lead with just over a minute remaining in the opening half.
• At halftime, Niagara trailed by 34, as they were outscored 28-8 in the second quarter. Angel was the only Purple Eagle with more than one point in the quarter.
• At halftime, Aaliyah led the Purple Eagles with 12 points while Angel had five.
• The Purple Eagles got after it on the offensive board as they had six offensive rebounds in the first half compared to two from La Salle.

Third Quarter

• Niagara's offense found it's groove in the third quarter as they outscored La Salle 23-16 in the frame.
• Shelby Fiddler hit back-to-back threes to energize the Purple Eagles. As a team Niagara went 8-15 from the field in the third.
• Angel also had six points in the frame while Jade Rutledge and Aaliyah had four points each.

Fourth Quarter

• Just like the third quarter, Niagara outscored La Salle, this time 21-13. Angel found her scoring touch in the fourth once again as she had 12 of her 23 in the fourth quarter.
• Fiddler once again hit a three in the fourth quarter as she finished with nine points in her first game at the Gallagher Center.
• Despite outscoring La Salle 21-13 in the fourth and scoring 15 points off turnovers their comeback came up short as they fell 83-64.

Niagara Notes

• Niagara scored 28 points off turnovers, compared to just 23 from La Salle.
• The Purple Eagles also scored 20 second chance points while allowing just seven from La Salle.
• Angel led all scorers in the game with 23 while Aaliyah had 16 points which tied the leading scorer from La Salle. Angel is averaging 18.5 points a game while Aaliyah is averaging 16.5 points per game.
• Aaliyah had her first double-double of the season and sixth of her career. She had a game high 11 boards.

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles head on the road on Wednesday for another non-conference game against Colgate, Niagara returns home next weekend as they host Cleveland State.