Lawrenceville, N.J.—The Niagara women's basketball team picked up their fifth MAAC win of the season in convincing fashion as they defeated the Rider Broncs 81-62 on the road.

First Quarter

Niagara jumped out to a 21-11 lead in the first quarter as eight Purple Eagles tallied a point in the first quarter. Lore Porter, Saige Glover, and Ary Hicks all had a team high four points in the opening quarter. Amelia Strong, Aaliyah Parker, Angel Parker, and Destiny Strother each had two points in the frame. Niagara outrebounded the Broncs 14-10 in the first quarter with Strong having five rebounds. Niagara forced seven turnovers in the first quarter while coming away with six steals. Six different Purple Eagles had a steal. Niagara had 11 points off turnovers in the first quarter while having 14 points in the paint.

Second Quarter

The Purple Eagles built on their lead in the second quarter as they once again outscored the Broncs 24-11. Strother and Saige Glover both had seven points in the quarter while Angel had four. Niagara tripled up Rider in rebounds as Niagara came down with 15 while Rider had just five rebounds. Glover had six rebounds in the quarter while in total five Purple Eagles had rebounds. Niagara once again went to the paint in the second quarter as they had 14 points in the paint and eight second chance points. Niagara did not allow any points on fast breaks and did not allow any second chance points.

At the half

Niagara led by 23 at halftime with Glover leading all scorers with 11 points. Strother had nine points while Angel and Porter each had six points. Niagara was shooting 40.9% at halftime. The Purple Eagles forced 12 turnovers and had 15 points off turnovers. Niagara outscored Rider 28-8 in the paint in the first half. Niagara's bench players had 21 points in the opening 20 minutes.

Third Quarter

Rider came out of the locker room firing in the third quarter as they shot 60% from the field and outscored Niagara 23-20 in the third. Shelby Fiddler hit a pair of threes in the quarter and had a team high six points. Both Alyssa Rossignol and Hicks had four points in the quarter as Niagara went 8-15 from the field. The Purple Eagles had four steals in the quarter and scored seven points off turnovers. 13 of Niagara's 20 points came from players off the bench.

Fourth Quarter

Niagara scored 16 points in the fourth quarter as they secured the win. Hicks and Strong both had four points to lead the team while Porter had three points. Niagara forced nine turnovers in the quarter as the Purple Eagles had four steals. Strong and Fiddler both had two steals. Niagara had seven offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter. 12 Purple Eagles appeared in the fourth quarter.

Niagara Notes

·       Niagara is now 5-1 in the last three seasons against Rider. Which includes five straight Niagara wins over the Broncs.

·       Glover had a team high 13 points while also pulling down nine rebounds. She tied her season high in both points and rebounds, both are season highs this season.

·       Strother and Hicks both had 12 points while Strong had 11 points. In total 10 Purple Eagles had multiple points.

·       Niagara forced 26 turnovers with 15 steals. Strong had a team high four steals while Fiddler had three steals. Eight Purple Eagles had steals in the win.

·       The Purple Eagles had 31 points off turnovers, they are averaging 22.4 points off turnovers this season.

·       Niagara went to the paint for 42 points. It is the second straight game with 40+ points in the paint. Niagara has had 30+ points in the paint in five straight games.

·       The Purple Eagles are averaging 25.2 forced turnovers per game. Niagara's turnover margin is 5.3 this season.

·       Niagara took 77 shots, which is tied for the second most in a game this season. Niagara has taken 70+ shots in nine games this season.

·       Aaliyah is now just nine points away from 1,000 career points.

·       Niagara is 32-27 all-time against Rider.

Up Next

The Purple Eagles close out their weekend as they take on Mount St. Mary's on Saturday to close out their season series with the Mountaineers. Niagara defeated The Mount 72-61 on Jan. 6 at the Gallagher Center.

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