Niagara University, N.Y.—Niagara women's basketball opened up February with it's first of just two home games in the month. Niagara hosted Iona who entered the game at atop of the MAAC standings. Niagara could not comeback to beat the Gaels as Iona walked away with a 61-54 win.
Game Recap
First Quarter

• Both offenses started the game strong as the teams combined for 37 points in the opening 10 minutes. The Gaels led after the first 22-15.
• Angel Parker had a game high seven points in the first quarter while Jade Rutledge, Aaliyah Parker, Nickelle O'Neil, Brooklyn Jones all had two points.
• Niagara forced six turnovers in the first quarter as the game was tied twice in the frame and there were three lead changes.
• The Purple Eagles also tallied two blocks as Rutledge and Aaliyah both were credited with a block.

Second Quarter

• Niagara outscored the Gaels 11-10 in the second quarter as Aaliyah accounted for eight of the 11 Niagara points. Angel had the other three points as she hit a three pointer as the clock expired in the second quarter.
• Iona turned the ball over seven times in the second quarter as Niagara had three steals. Aaliyah, O'Neil, and Ary Hicks all had steals in the frame.
• Niagara also pulled down 10 rebounds, four on the offensive side and six on the defensive end.
• Both Angel and Aaliyah had 10 points while Niagara forced 13 turnovers in the first half while having seven steals and three blocks.

Third Quarter

• The Gaels built on their lead in the third quarter as they scored 20 points while limiting the Purple Eagles to just 11.
• Of the 11 points in the third quarter, Aaliyah scored six points and Angel had three points. Amelia Strong had the other two points.
• Niagara forced nine turnovers in the quarter while Rutledge accounted for three steals. Aaliyah, Angel, and Maddy Yelle also had a steal.

Fourth Quarter

• In the fourth, the Purple Eagles looked for another magical comeback as they outscored the Gaels 17-9 in the fourth.
• Angel led all scorers in the fourth quarter as she went 3-6 from the field along with 2-3 from three as she had nine points. Yelle scored four points in the final quarter while Aaliyah and Jones had two points each.
• Niagara pulled down four offensive rebounds in the fourth and added four on the defensive side while out rebounding the Gaels 8-7.
• The Purple Eagles forced another nine turnovers in the fourth quarter and scored 10 points off of them.

Niagara Notes

• Aaliyah finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for her sixth double double of the season and her second straight. She is now averaging 7.9 rebounds and 16.6 points per game. She is in third in the MAAC in scoring and is second in rebounding.
• Angel finished with a game high 22 points while having four rebounds and three steals. The senior is tied for the MAAC lead in scoring as she is averaging 17.0 points per game.
• Niagara forced 31 turnovers and their turnover margin now sits at 9.5 this season which leads the MAAC and is tops in the nation. Niagara had 16 steals on the night with six different players recording at least one. O'Neil had a game high four while Angel and Yelle had three. Aaliyah had two and leads the MAAC with 3.8 per game. Angel is second in the MAAC with 3.1 per game while O'Neil is third at 2.5 per game.
• It is the eighth time this season Niagara has had three or more blocks this season, Rutledge had two while Aaliyah had the third. The Purple Eagles have had a block in all but two games this season.
• Niagara had 32 points off turnovers, it is the fourth game this season with 30 or more points off turnovers. The Purple Eagles are averaging 25.2 points per game off turnovers.
• The Purple Eagles are now tied for second place in the MAAC with Quinnipiac but currently hold the tiebreaker with the Bobcats as they are 1-0 in their lone matchup this season.

Up Next

• Niagara sits at 10-10 this season and 9-3 in MAAC play, the Purple Eagles are now off until Feb. 9. Niagara goes on the road to face Saint Peter's before facing Siena on Feb. 11. Niagara then returns to WNY for round two of the Battle of the Bridge on Feb. 15.