Niagara University, N.Y.—The Niagara women's basketball team earned a comeback overtime win against Quinnipiac at the Gallagher Center on Saturday. Niagara scored a season-high 86 points in a 86-78 win over the Bobcats.

First Quarter

The opening quarter saw the teams play to a 15-15 tie. Marlie Dickerson was the leading scorer for the Purple Eagles as she had five points with three coming from three point land. Amelia Strong and Chardonnay Hartley each had three points while Angel Parker and Lore Porter had two each. Niagara forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter while having seven steals. Angel had a team high three steals in the first quarter. Niagara pulled down seven offensive rebounds with Aaliyah Parker leading the way with two.

Second Quarter

The Bobcats took a nine point lead in the second quarter as they outscored Niagara 18-9. Shelby Fiddler had three of the nine points for Niagara while Dickerson and Porter had two and Hartley and Angel each had one. Niagara pulled down eight rebounds in the quarter with Strong coming down with three.

At the half

Dickerson was the leading scorer for Niagara with seven points. Niagara made 10 free throws in the first half while having a +9 turnover margin.

Third Quarter

The third quarter was a turning point for the Purple Eagles as they outscored the Bobcats 22-15 in the quarter. Aaliyah Parker had eight points while Hartley was second on the team with seven points. Niagara forced nine turnovers in the quarter with four steals. Angel, Aaliyah, Destiny Strother, and Dickerson all had a steal. Niagara scored 12 of their 22 points in the quarter off of turnovers. Niagara drew 11 fouls and went to the free throw line 11 times while making 10 of them. Niagara went to the paint for 12 points in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Niagara tied the game in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Bobcats 25-23 to force overtime. Angel had a team high 11 points in the quarter while Strong, Hartley, and Dickerson each had four points. Niagara had just five forced turnovers but scored nine points off of them. Niagara went 11-15 from the field in the quarter along with 3-5 from the line. Niagara had five steals with Porter and Angel each having two. Niagara used the fast break as they scored 10 points on the fast break along with 20 points in the paint.

Overtime

Niagara played in overtime for the first time this season and outscored Quinnipiac 15-7 in the five minute session. Niagara went 5-7 from the field while hitting one three and draining four free throws. Strong and Aaliyah each had four points while Hartley and Angel each had two points. Niagara led for 4:31 of the five minute overtime session. Niagara forced four turnovers with three steals as Porter, Dickerson, and Angel all had a steal.

Niagara Notes

·       86 points is a new season high for Niagara, it is the most points scored in a game since Mar. 2, 2023 in a 86-62 win over Siena.

·       Niagara is now 3-0 in their last three games against Quinnipiac after Niagara was 1-18 all-time against the Bobcats before the 2022-23 season.

·       The Purple Eagles forced 31 turnovers in the win while having 19 steals. Niagara has now forced 30 or more turnovers in five games this season.

·       Niagara took a season high 37 free throws while making a season high 27. It is the first time since Jan. 5, 2017 that Niagara has made 25 or more free throws in a game.

·       Angel had a team high 21 points which is a new season high for her.

·       Angel, Hartley, Aaliyah, Strong, Porter, and Dickerson all had double digit points. It is the first time since Feb. 10, 2022 that five or more Purple Eagles were in double digits for scoring.

·       Niagara took 73 shots in the game, it is their eighth game this season taking 70+ shots.

·       The Purple Eagles scored 46 points in the paint which tied their season high while having 32 points off turnovers and 33 points on the fast break.

Up Next

The Purple Eagles are back on the road on Thursday as they travel to Rider to take on the Broncs, tipoff is scheduled for 7 PM in Lawrenceville.

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