STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Despite a strong second-half performance from Talia Dial, Niagara women's basketball fell to Penn State 101-45 on Thursday at the Bryce Jordan Center.
 
How it Happened
Dial led the Purple Eagles (0-3) with 18 points, including five 3-pointers, but it wasn't enough to overcome Penn State's dominant inside presence. The Lady Lions (4-0) shot 61.9% from the field and scored 60 points in the paint.
 
Niagara's defense showed flashes, forcing 29 Penn State turnovers and converting them into 18 points. Safiatu Kolliegbo and Jade Rutledge each recorded multiple steals, with Rutledge leading the team with five.
 
The Purple Eagles struggled offensively, shooting just 27.9% from the field. After trailing 57-20 at halftime, Niagara showed improved execution in the third quarter, scoring 19 points with Dial connecting on three shots from beyond the arc.
 
Gracie Merkle led Penn State with 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting. Moriah Murray added 17 points, including five 3-pointers.
 
Niagara Notes
• Penn State improves to 3-0 against Niagara.
• Dial scored 12 of her career-high 18 points in the second half.
• Dial is the first Purple Eagle to connect on five or more 3-pointers in a game since Destiny Strother made seven three's against Duquesne on Nov. 11, 2023.
• Niagara has forced 25 or more turnovers in two of three games played.
• Rutledge's five steals was one shy of her career-best. 
 
Up Next
Niagara will travel to Pittsburgh, Pa., for a Saturday night contest against Duquesne at 7 p.m. from the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.