New Rochelle, N.Y.—The Niagara women's basketball team opened MAAC play Saturday afternoon with a 67-48 win over reigning MAAC champion Iona on the road.
First Quarter
The Purple Eagles opened the game by leading 16-11 in the first quarter which included a 5-0 scoring run in the first quarter. Niagara led for 8:37 of the opening 10 minutes while the game was tied just once at three. Angel Parker made her season debut and led the Purple Eagles in the first quarter as she had five points on 2-3 shooting from the field along with one free throw. Ary Hicks had four points while Destiny Strother had three, Amelia Strong and Kylie Buckley each had two points in the quarter. Niagara forced eight turnovers in the first quarter while scoring 11 points off turnovers. Niagara outscored Iona 10-4 in the paint.
Second Quarter
Niagara extended their lead in the second quarter as they outscored the Gaels 17-8 in the quarter. Strong dominated down low in the second quarter as she had quarter high nine points on 4-6 shooting along with a free throw. Alyssa Rossignol had four points in the quarter as she made both of her shots. Buckley chipped in two points while Chardonnay Hartley, and Angel both had a point. Niagara forced Iona into seven turnovers with the Purple Eagles being credited for three steals. Hartley, Angel, and Shelby Fiddler all recorded a steal in the quarter. Niagara scored 12 points in the paint while nine points came off turnovers.
At The Half
After 20 minutes, Niagara led 33-19 while they had forced 15 turnovers. Niagara had 20 points off turnovers while Iona did not have any points off Niagara turnovers. The Purple Eagles also scored 22 points in the paint while allowing Iona just eight points in the paint. Strong led all scorers in the game with 11 points while seven Purple Eagles had points in the first half.
Third Quarter
In the third quarter, Niagara outscored the Gaels 19-14 and continued to extend their lead. Strother led scorers in the third quarter as she had six points in the quarter with a pair of three pointers. Niagara forced nine turnovers from Iona in the third quarter while six came from Niagara steals. Hartley and Lore Porter both had two steals while Angel and Rossignol each had one steal. Aaliyah Parker had a block in the quarter. Niagara scored seven points off turnovers and eight points in the paint.
Fourth Quarter
The two teams each scored 15 points in the fourth quarter as Niagara maintained their lead. Aaliyah scored all eight of her points in the fourth quarter as she played just over five minutes in the quarter. Fiddler had five points as she went 2-2 from the field which included a three. Angel dished out four assists in the quarter. Iona turned the ball over nine times in the quarter as Aaliyah had two steals, Marlie Dickerson also had one steal in the quarter. As a team Niagara shot 7-15 from the field. The Purple Eagles had 12 points in the paint while Iona did not have any points in the paint.
Niagara Notes
· Angel made her season debut, she had eight points while dishing out 10 assists. She also had two steals and came down with six rebounds. She played just over 25 minutes to lead the Purple Eagles.
· Niagara head coach Jada Pierce picked up her 100th NCAA win with the win over Niagara. 92 of the 100 wins have come at Niagara.
· Niagara forced 33 turnovers in the game while having a +20-turnover margin. The 33 forced turnovers is a new season high for Niagara. Niagara is forcing 23.6 turnovers per game this season, that leads the MAAC.
· The Purple Eagles had 37 rebounds with 12 coming on the offensive side. Angel was the top rebounder for Niagara as nine Purple Eagles pulled down a rebound. Niagara has had double digit offensive rebounds in nine of 10 games this season.
· Niagara opens MAAC play 1-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 season when they defeated Iona at the Gallagher Center. It is the first time since the 2011-12 season that Niagara has opened MAAC play with a road win.
· Niagara had a season high 19 assists in the win.
· The Purple Eagles led for 38:37 of the game while Iona did not lead in the game. There was just one point in the game when it was tied.
· Niagara has a season high 31 points off turnovers. They are averaging 18.9 points off turnovers this season.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles travel to Jersey City, NJ to play Saint Peter's on Monday in their final MAAC game before the holiday break. The Purple Eagles close out the first half on Thursday as they face West Virginia in their final non-conference game of the season. Niagara and Saint Peter's tip off at 7 PM.
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