Jersey City, NJ—Niagara women's basketball earned their second MAAC win of the season as they defeated Saint Peter's 74-57 on the road. Niagara moved to 2-0 in MAAC play following the win.
First Quarter
Niagara jumped out to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter as the Niagara defense forced 14 turnovers in the first quarter. Niagara had nine steals with Angel Parker and Lore Porter each having two steals. Aaliyah Parker, Destiny Strother, Ary Hicks, Alyssa Rossignol, and Kylie Buckley each had a steal. Strother led Niagara with six points, all six points came from three. Angel had four points in the quarter while Porter (three), Hicks (two), Aaliyah (two), and Amelia Strong (two) all had points. Niagara scored 14 points off turnovers while also scoring eight points in the paint. Niagara took the lead 51 seconds into the game and never looked back.
Second Quarter
Saint Peter's got one point back in the second quarter as they outscored Niagara 10-9 in the quarter. Porter had three points in the quarter as she hit a three while Aaliyah, Rossignol, and Buckley all had two points. Niagara forced 13 turnovers in the quarter while having seven steals. Aaliyah had three steals while Angel and Buckley had two each. Aaliyah was also credited with a block in the quarter. Niagara scored six of its nine points in the paint while four were off turnovers.
At the half
Niagara led by 10 at the end of the first half, 28-18. Strother and Porter each had six points with both hitting a pair of threes. Both Angel and Alliyah had four points while Strong, Hicks, Rossignol, and Buckley had two points. Niagara forced 27 turnovers in the first half with 16 combined steals, Angel and Aaliyah both had four steals to lead the team.
Third Quarter
Niagara built their lead to 22 in the third quarter as they outscored Saint Peter's 29-17 in the third quarter. Strother had eight points in the quarter with two threes and two free throws. Strong went to work in the third as she had seven points. Fiddler and Porter each hit a three in the quarter while Angel, Aaliyah, and Rossignol each had two points. Niagara forced just three turnovers in but came away with eight points off the turnovers. Niagara had 10 assists in the quarter with Angel accounting for five of them. Niagara shot 50% from the field which included going 4-5 from three.
Fourth Quarter
The Purple Eagles closed out the game in the fourth quarter despite the Peacocks outscoring them 22-17. Buckley had six points in the quarter to lead the Purple Eagles while Chardonnay Hartley had four points. Marlie Dickerson hit a three in the quarter while Strong and Porter each had two points. Niagara had six points off of three Peacock turnovers. Niagara once again shot 50% from the field in the fourth quarter.
Niagara Notes
· It is the first time since the 2004-05 season that Niagara has opened MAAC play with a 2-0 record. It is the first time in program history that Niagara has opened MAAC play with back-to-back road MAAC wins.
· Strother led Niagara with 14 points while Strong and Porter each had 11 points.
· Niagara forced 33 turnovers for the second straight game, they are leading the MAAC in forced turnovers as they are averaging 24.5 per game.
· The Purple Eagles had 20 steals which is a new season high. The 20 steals is the most by any team in a MAAC game this season. Niagara owns four of the top five most steal games this season in the MAAC.
· Strother hit four threes in the game, she leads the MAAC in threes made (28) and three per game (2.5).
· With six points, Aaliyah scored her 900th career point, she now has 901 career points.
· 11 Purple Eagles had points in the win with all 11 having multiple points.
· Buckley set a new career high with three steals.
· Rossignol pulled down seven rebounds to lead Niagara, it is a new career high.
· Niagara had 17 offensive rebounds while Niagara set a new season high with 21 second chance points.
· The Purple Eagles took the lead 51 seconds into the game and the game was never tied as the Purple Eagles led for 39:09.
· Niagara took a season high 75 shots in the win.
· Niagara earned their 32nd win all-time against Saint Peter's, Niagara has won the last three matchups with the Peacocks. Niagara is 7-3 in the last 10 games against Saint Peter's.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles close out calendar year 2023 and non-conference play on Thursday as they face Big XII opponent West Virginia in Morgantown at 2 PM,
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