Loudonville, NY—The Niagara women's basketball team made the trip to Siena to open it's season series with the Saints. Despite a second half comeback the Purple Eagles fell in the final seconds to the Saints by a score of 83-81.
Game Recap
First Quarter

• The open quarter was back and forth as the Saints had a 17-15 lead after the first quarter.
• Seven different Purple Eagles recorded a point in the first with Angel Parker and Lore Porter leading the way with three points each. Aaliyah Parker, Ary Hicks, Saige Glover, and Amelia Strong all had two points in the frame.
• Niagara forced nine turnovers in the first quarter while having six steals. Both Angel and Nickelle O'Neil had two steals while Maddy Yelle and Hicks both had one.

Second Quarter

• The Saints came out firing in the second quarter as they scored 30 points while allowing 14 Niagara points.
• Aaliyah had six points to lead the Purple Eagles in the second quarter while Yelle followed her with five points. Porter hit a three for the other three Niagara points in the frame.
• The Purple Eagles forced eight turnovers in the second quarter and turned it into 10 points.
• At the break, Niagara trailed by 18 points as Aaliyah had eight points in the first 20 minutes to lead the Purple Eagles.

Third Quarter

• The third quarter was another back and forth frame as the Purple Eagles looked to mount a comeback. Niagara outscored the Saints 24-22 in the frame.
• Aaliyah nearly doubled her first half numbers as she had 14 in the third quarter alone to lead all scorers. Jade Rutledge, Angel, O'Neil, Porter, and Sydney Faulcon all chipped in two points.
• The Purple Eagles out rebounded the Saints 11-7 while collecting six rebounds on the offensive side.
• Niagara shot 47.4% from the field while Aaliyah was 5-6 to lead the team.

Fourth Quarter

• The comeback was on in the forth quarter as the Purple Eagles scored 28 points in the fourth while allowing just 14 Saints points.
• Angel had 11 points in the fourth including a layup with less than five seconds left to put the Purple Eagles up one.
• On the ensuing inbound play, Siena broke the press and launched a half court shot, the shot went down to give the Saints a two point lead with no time left.
• Niagara forced 12 turnovers in the fourth and turned them into 17 points.

Niagara Notes

• Aaliyah had a game high 29 point which is also a new career high. She had 27 earlier this season against Rider on Dec. 19 to set her previous career high.
• The Purple Eagles have scored 60 or more points in a game this season 14 times, they are now 11-3 when scored 60 or more. It is also the third game this season they have scored 80 or more points, all of which have been in the five games.
• Niagara forced 34 turnovers in the game and scored 40 points off turnovers, it is the second most they have scored off turnovers in a game this season. Against Saint Peter's on Thursday they scored 45 off turnovers.
• Ten different Purple Eagles scored a point in the game while six players had steals.
• Aaliyah now leads the MAAC in scoring as she is averaging 17.1 points per game. Angel is in second with 16.8 points per game.
• As a team the Purple Eagles are second in the MAAC in scoring as they average 64.9 points per game.
• Niagara is averaging 15.82 steals per games after having 22 on Saturday. They lead the MAAC and the country.

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles return to Western New York as they take on Battle of the Bridge foe Canisius on Wednesday at 7 PM in downtown Buffalo.