Atlantic City, N.J.—The Niagara women's basketball team advanced into the MAAC semifinals for the third consecutive season as they defeated No. 7 Quinnipiac on Wednesday afternoon by a score of 70-56.
First Quarter
Niagara took a slight three-point lead in the first quarter as they led for 5:31 of the quarter that saw four lead changes and five tied scores. The trio of Amelia Strong, Aaliyah Parker, and Angel Parker all had four points in the quarter while Saige Glover and Ary Hicks both had two points for the Purple Eagles. Niagara forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter while the Purple Eagles tallied six steals. An. Parker had two steals while Strong, Aa. Parker, Marlie Dickerson, and Alyssa Rossignol each had a steal. Niagara scored 10 points off turnovers along with 10 points in the paint in the opening quarter. Glover had a team high three rebounds in the first quarter.
Second Quarter
The second quarter saw just 12 combined points as Niagara had eight of the 12 points as Strong, Aa. Parker, Dickerson, and Rossignol all had two points. Niagara forced 10 turnovers in the second quarter while six of Niagara's eight points were off of turnovers. Niagara had six steals in the quarter as Aa. Parker, Destiny Strother, Dickerson, Hartley, Glover, and Hicks all had a steal. Niagara led for the entire quarter while building their lead to nine.
At the half
Niagara led by seven at halftime as both Strong and Aa. Parker both had six points in the first half. Glover had a game high 11 rebounds at halftime as she had three offensive rebounds and eight defensive rebounds. Niagara had 16 points off their 20 forced turnovers in the first half. Niagara scored 12 points on the fast break while limiting Quinnipiac to just two points off the fast break.
Third Quarter
Strong led Niagara in the third quarter as the Purple Eagles outscored Quinnipiac 29-24 in the third quarter. Strong led all scorers with 12 points as she went 6-8 from the field while also collecting four rebounds. Niagara went to the paint for 18 points. Hicks was second on the team with six points while An. Parker, Strother, and Dickerson all had three points in the quarter. Niagara forced seven turnovers in the quarter while having three steals. Strother also recorded the lone block of the quarter. Niagara recorded seven assists in the quarter as Hicks had a team high three whole An. Parker and Glover each had two.
Fourth Quarter
Niagara closed out the game in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Bobcats 17-15 in the final frame. Hicks led Niagara with six points in the quarter as Aa. Parker had four points, Dickerson had three points, both Strong and Lore Porter each had two points. Niagara forced eight turnovers in the quarter while scoring 10 points off turnovers. Niagara also went to the paint for 10 points while limiting Quinnipiac to just two points off turnovers and four points in the paint. Hicks, Glover, and Shelby Fiddler all had two rebounds in the fourth quarter.
Niagara Notes
· With the win, Niagara advances to the MAAC Semifinals for the third consecutive season.
· Niagara led for 35:31 of the game while Quinnipiac led for just 1:16.
· Niagara forced 35 turnovers in the win, this season they are averaging 27.8 forced turnovers per game which leads the NCAA.
· Strong had a career-high 20 points in the game as she was 8-11 from the field and 4-5 from the line.
· Glover had 13 rebounds in the game which is a new career high for the senior.
· Niagara is now on a five game winning streak against Quinnipiac.
· Nine different Purple Eagles had points while three had double digit scoring.
· Niagara came down with 14 offensive rebounds.
· The Purple Eagles scored 31 points off turnovers, this season they are averaging 26.1 points off turnovers.
· Niagara had 44 points in the paint, they are averaging 33.2 points in the paint per game.
· Niagara had 16 steals, it is the 20th game this season that Niagara had 15 or more steals.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles now await the winner of No. 3 Siena and No. 6 Mount St. Mary's. Niagara is back in action on Friday at 1:30 as they look to advance to the MAAC Championship.
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