Buffalo, N.Y.—The Niagara women's basketball team traveled to Downtown Buffalo on Tuesday night. The Purple Eagles earned a 65-55 win over the Griffs at the Koessler Athletic Center.

First Quarter

Niagara jumped out to a 20-12 lead in the first quarter as Angel Parker scored nine of Niagara's 20 points in the frame. Destiny Strother had three points in the first quarter while Aaliyah Parker, Marlie Dickerson, Saige Glover, and Ary Hicks all had two points in the first quarter. Niagara forced four turnovers in the first quarter with Hicks and Aaliyah each having one steal. Niagara shot 64.3% from the field which included a pair of threes. Niagara pulled down eight rebounds in the quarter with Glover and Chardonnay Hartley each having two rebounds. Niagara scored seven points off turnovers while going to the paint for 10 points.

Second Quarter

The Griffs cut into the Niagara lead in the second stanza as they outscored the Purple Eagles 14-10. Niagara made three field goals in the quarter while going 4-5 from the free throw line. Aaliyah had nine of the 10 points as she went 3-3 from the field and 3-3 from the line. Niagara forced seven turnovers with three steals. Aaliyah, Hicks, and Glover all had a steal. Niagara pulled down 10 rebounds as Saige Glover pulled down four rebounds. Niagara had six points off turnovers in the quarter.

At the half

Niagara held a four-point lead at the break as Aaliyah led all scorers with 11 points. Angel had nine points to have the second most points in the game. The Purple Eagles forced 11 turnovers in the first have with 13 points coming from turnovers. Niagara had five assists in the half as Angel had a team high two.

Third Quarter

The Purple Eagles outscored the Griffs 18-11 in the third quarter as seven different Purple Eagles scored in the frame. Strother had a team high five points in the quarter as she went 2-2 from the field while hitting one three. Aaliyah had four points while Angel had three. Niagara pulled down eight rebounds with Glover leading the way with three rebounds. Niagara forced 10 turnovers in the quarter while coming away with six steals. Dickerson was credited with three steals while Aaliyah, Glover, and Alyssa Rossignol all had one. Just like the first quarter, Niagara went to the paint for 10 points. Niagara allowed the Griffs to take just two free throws in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Niagara was outscored 18-17 in the fourth quarter but held on to their lead. Niagara went to the free throw line 14 times in the quarter while making nine. Dickerson and Hartley each had four points while Lore Porter had three points. Niagara had three steals while forcing five turnovers in the frame. Eight of Niagara's 17 points in the quarter came on the second chance as the Purple Eagles had six offensive rebounds.

Niagara Notes

·       Aaliyah led all scorers with 15 points in the game while Angel had 14 points. Nine Purple Ealges scored in the game.

·       Niagara improves to 43-60 against the Griffs all-time. The Purple Eagles have now won five straight games against the Griffs and six of the last seven games. The five game winning streak is the Purple Eagles' longest win streak of the all-time series with the Griffs.

·       The Purple Eagles took the lead just 20 seconds into the game and held the lead for the rest of the 40 minutes.

·       Glover set a new career record as she had 10 rebounds in the game. She had six on the offensive board.

·       Niagara scored 22 points off 26 Canisius turnovers. Niagara is forcing 25.6 turnovers per game this season which leads the MAAC and all of Division I.

·       The Purple Eagles finished with 24 points in the paint. Niagara has recorded 20+ points in the paint in 20 of 21 games this season.

·       Niagara improves to 10-11 overall while boasting a 7-4 MAAC record. The Purple Eagles are currently third in the MAAC.

·       The Purple Eagles are now 6-2 this season when leading at halftime and 10-5 when scoring 60+ points.

·       When Niagara allows 60 or less, they are 5-0 this season.

·       Niagara tied a season high with five blocks. Strong and Glover each had two blocks while Aaliyah was also credited with a block.

·       Aaliyah is now 13 rebounds from 500 career boards.

·       Angel had one steal in the game and is 10 steals away from breaking the Niagara program record for career steals.

Up Next

Niagara returns to the Gallagher Center on Thursday after a three game road trip. Niagara hosts Saint Peter's on 80's night with tipoff scheduled for 6 PM.

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