Atlantic City, N.J.—The Niagara women's basketball team advanced to the MAAC Championship game for the first time since 1997 with an 87-70 win over Siena on Friday.
First Quarter
The Purple Eagles jumped out to a 34-11 lead in the first quarter while eight different Purple Eagles had points. Lore Porter led the Purple Eagles with eight points while Amelia Strong, Aaliyah Parker, and Angel Parker all had six points. As a team Niagara shot 14-25 from the field while going 3-6 from behind the three point line. Niagara doubled up Siena on the glass as Niagara came down with 13 rebounds while the Saints had just six. Niagara had seven offensive rebounds with seven different players recording an offensive board. Saige Glover led both teams with three rebounds in the first quarter. Niagara forced 11 turnovers in the first quarter while recording eight steals. Ary Hicks came aways with a quarter high three steals while Aa. Parker had two. Niagara scored 17 points off turnovers while 20 of their points came in the paint.
Second Quarter
Both teams scored 14 points in the second quarter, the Purple Eagles were led by Chardonnay Hartley who had four points in the quarter. Niagara forced six turnovers in the quarter while turning the turnovers into seven points. Niagara pulled down 13 rebounds in the quarter, Aa. Parker, An. Parker, Glover, and Hartley all had two rebounds in the quarter. The Purple Eagles limited the Saints to 5-17 shooting in the second quarter.
At the half
Niagara held a 48-25 lead at the half as nine different Purple Eagles had points. Both Strong and Porter had a team high eight points. Niagara controlled the glass in the first half as they had 26 rebounds while Siena had just 18 rebounds. Glover had a game high five rebounds in the first half. Niagara finished the first half with 24 points off turnovers while also having 20 points in the paint.
Third Quarter
Siena chipped into the Niagara lead as they edged out the Purple Eagles 20-19 in the third quarter. Aa. Parker had five points to lead Niagara while Strong and Porter both had four points. Niagara pulled down 13 rebounds in the quarter as Siena had just eight. Glover and Strong both had three boards to lead Niagara, Aa. Parker, An. Parker, Destiny Strother, Hartley, and Alyssa Rossignol all had one rebound in the quarter. At the 4:22 mark of the quarter, Niagara led by 30 which was their biggest lead of the game. Niagara scored six points in the paint while having four points off turnovers and four fast break points.
Fourth Quarter
The Purple Eagles secured the win in the fourth quarter despite being outscored 25-20. Niagara used balanced scoring in the quarter as eight Purple Eagles had two or more points. An. Parker had a team high four points. Lexi Roe hit a three while her and Strother each had three points. Aa. Parker, Glover, Hicks, Rossignol, and Kylie Buckley all had two points. Niagara pulled down 10 offensive rebounds and 14 total boards. Glover led all players with four boards while Aa. Parker had three. The Purple Eagles blocked two shots in the quarter as An. Parker and Strother both recorded a block.
Niagara Notes
· Niagara advances to the MAAC Final for the first time since 1997, it is just the second time in program history that Niagara has made the MAAC Final.
· Niagara's 34 points in the first quarter is the most in a quarter by Niagara in program history.
· At halftime Niagara had 48 points which is a new season high for the Purple Eagles.
· 12 of 13 players for Niagara had at least two points.
· Niagara dominated the glass as they outrebounded Siena 53-34. Glover had a team high 12 rebounds, it is the fifth straight game this season that she has recorded nine or rebounds.
· The Purple Eagles forced 25 turnovers with 16 steals, Aa. Parker, Hartley, and Hicks all had four steals.
· Four Purple Eagles had double digit scoring as Aa. Parker and An. Parker had a team high 13 points.
· Niagara had 38 points in the paint while having 25 second chance points and 30 points off turnovers.
· Glover is leading the MAAC Tournament in rebounding as she is averaging 12.5 rebounds per game.
· Niagara as a team is the highest scoring team in the MAAC Tournament as they are averaging 78.5 points per game. Their scoring margin is also +15.5 which is the best in the MAAC Tournament.
· Niagara has a tournament high 32 steals while having a +9.0 turnover margin.
Up Next
Niagara looks to capture their first MAAC Championship on Saturday as they take on the top seed in Fairfield. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM. The game will be on ESPNU and ESPN+ while you can listen to Todd Callen on AM 1400 or the Audacy app.
Stay connected with Niagara Women's Basketball on X (formally Twitter) and Instagram. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and purpleeagles.com
