Niagara University, N.Y.—The Niagara Women's Basketball team faced Rider in their second MAAC game of the season. In their final game before the holiday break, the Purple Eagles notched their first MAAC win by a score of 74-67.
Game Recap
First Quarter

• The first quarter was as even as even could be as the two teams were tied at 15 after the opening quarter.
• Aaliyah Parker led all scorers in the opening frame as she had 10 points on 4-7 shooting which included going 2-2 from three point land. Angel Parker scored the other five points for Niagara as she was 1-1 from the field and added a pair of free throws.
• On the defensive side, the Purple Eagles forced three straight turnovers to open the game and that was theme of the opening quarter. Rider turned the ball over eight times and Niagara scored eight points off turnovers.
• Niagara also pulled down seven rebounds which included five on the offensive side. Both Lore Porter and Angel led the team with two boards.

Second Quarter

• The three-ball started to fall even more in the second quarter as the Purple Eagles went 5-6 from long range. Nickelle O'Neil had 12 in the second quarter to lead all scorers, she went 4-4 from the field all of which were from three point land.
• Aaliyah added to her fast start as she scored eight points in the second quarter and finished the first half with a game high 18 points.
• Niagara also out rebounded the Broncs as the Purple Eagles pulled down nine of the 13 boards in the quarter. The Purple Eagles also controlled the board on the offensive side by pulling down five offensive boards.
• The Purple Eagles led 36-28 after the first half, it was just the third time this season that the Purple Eagles led at halftime.
• Niagara forced 13 turnovers in the first half while having six steals.

Third Quarter

• Rider started to cut the lead down in the third quarter as they outscored the Purple Eagles 21-17 in the third. Despite the Broncs scoring more in the quarter, the Purple Eagles still held a four-point lead.
• Maddy Yelle led all scorers in the frame as she had eight of the Niagara 17 points. Angel went 1-3 from the field and 3-4 at the line for six points in the quarter.
• Niagara forced six Rider turnovers while having four steals. Angel, O'Neil, Yelle, and Brooklyn Jones all had a steal while Aaliyah also had a block.
• After 30 minutes of play, Aaliyah had a game high 18 points. Niagara was also out rebounding Rider 20-15, which included 12 offensive rebounds.

Fourth Quarter

• Niagara finished the game in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Broncs 21-18 in the fourth quarter. The points in the fourth were spread around but Aaliyah added to her career day with nine points in the fourth quarter. Angel chipped in six of her own while, Yelle, Ary Hicks, and Amelia Strong all had points.
• The Purple Eagles forced six turnovers with three steals in the fourth quarter while collecting five rebounds.
• Of the 21 Niagara points nine of them came from the free throw line as Angel hit four of seven from the stripe, Aaliyah went 2-4, Strong went 1-2, and Yelle went 2-2.
• Niagara also drew 11 fouls in the final quarter while committing just four.

Niagara Notes

• It was the third time this season the Purple Eagles led at halftime, they picked up their first win after leading at half.
• The Purple Eagles are now 2-2 in games that are decided by five to nine points.
• 74 points scored is the most the Purple Eagles have scored in a game this season, it is also the most points scored since they beat Canisius last season 82-78.
• Aaliyah had a game high 27 points which is a new career high for the sophomore. It is the second time that she has set a career high against Rider. Last season she had 22 points in a 75-74 win which at the time was a new career high. He career high entering tonight was 24, she set it against Maine on 11/26/22.
• Niagara also hit 11 three's which is the most in a game this season. The previous high was seven against La Salle on 11/12/22.
• The Purple Eagles shot 39.3% from the field which is the second best they have shot this season. Their best shooting night came against Loyola (Md.) in the season opener in which they shot 39.7.
• The Parker sisters are still second and third in the MAAC in scoring, Aaliyah is averaging 16.7 points per game while Angel is averaging 15.1.
• Niagara upped their turnover margin to 9.00 after forcing 25 turnovers and giving the ball up just 13 times in the game. The Purple Eagles are tops in the MAAC and among the leaders in the country.
• It is now the third straight year in which the Purple Eagles fell in the MAAC opener but responded with a win in their second MAAC game.

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles now go on a nine-day break for the holiday's before going on the road on Dec. 29 to take on Iona.