Morgantown, W. Va.—The Niagara women's basketball team closed out non-conference play on Thursday afternoon as they took on undefeated West Virginia. Despite holding an early lead, the Purple Eagles fell 103-52.

First Quarter

Niagara made the first basket of the game held a lead to open the game but West Virginia took a 19 point lead in the first quarter after outscoring Niagara 32-13 in the opening 10 minutes. Alyssa Rossignol and Aaliyah Parker each had four points in the first quarter to lead Niagara while Chardonnay Hartley had three and Strong had two. Niagara forced six West Virginia turnovers in the first quarter with Aaliyah accounting for three steals and Hartley also notching a steal. Kylie Buckley, Destiny Strother, and Ary Hicks all had a rebound in the quarter.

Second Quarter

The Mountaineers continued to build their lead in the second quarter as they outscored the Purple Eagles 23-10. Saige Glover and Hicks each had three points while Aaliyah had two and Hartley and Lore Porter each had one. Niagara forced five West Virginia turnovers with Angel Parker, Aaliyah, Porter, and Rossignol all having a steal. Niagara had eight rebounds in the quarter, Hicks and Hartley each pulled down two while Angel, Marlie Dickerson, and Glover each had one rebound.

At the half

Niagara forced 11 turnovers in the opening half while having eight steals. Aaliyah led Niagara with six points while seven Purple Eagles scored in the half. Niagara had 14 points from the bench while scoring 10 points in the paint.

Third Quarter

Niagara was outscored 24-11 in the third quarter with Dickerson being the leading scorer for Niagara with five points. She was 2-2 from the field which included a three pointer. Strong, Aaliyah, and Glover all had two points in the frame. Niagara outrebounded West Virginia in the third quarter, 9-8. Aaliyah had a quarter high four rebounds while Glover had two and Strong, Porter, and Hartley all having one.

Fourth Quarter

Niagara scored a game high 18 points in the fourth quarter as seven Purple Eagles scored. Rossignol had a team high four points while Angel and Buckley had three points each. Aaliyah, Hartley, Lexie Roe, and Hicks all had two points. Buckley had a team high two rebounds while Aaliyah, Strother, and Dickerson also had a rebound. The Purple Eagles forced six turnovers in the quarter with Aaliyah having two steals and Glover and Roe each having one.

Niagara Notes

·       Niagara forced 20 West Virginia turnovers which is a new season high for West Virginia. Niagara has now forced three power five teams into a season high in turnovers when playing them this season (LSU, UCLA, and West Virginia). All three teams are currently either in the top 25 or receiving votes in the national poll.

·       Aaliyah had a team high 10 points while pulling down a team high five rebounds, and recording seven steals.

·       Niagara had 14 steals; Niagara has had 10+ turnovers in 10 games this season.

·       11 Purple Eagles had points in the game.

·       Niagara had 28 points in the paint. Niagara is averaging 30.3 points in the paint per game and have 25+ points in the paint in 10 games this season.

·       Niagara closes out non-conference play with three wins.

·       The Purple Eagles finish 2023 with an overall record of 20-12 which includes a 16-3 MAAC record.

Up Next

The Purple Eagles have off until Jan. 4 when they host Fairfield for kids day at the Gallagher Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 am against the Stags.

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