Niagara University, N.Y.—The Niagara women's basketball team closed out the regular season on Saturday as they defeated Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius 84-50. Niagara finishes the regular season with an 18-12 overall record and a 15-5 MAAC record.

First Quarter

Niagara jumped out to a 17-7 lead in the first quarter. Aaliyah Parker and Chardonnay Hartley each had five points to lead Niagara while five different Purple Eagles scored for Niagara. The Purple Eagles defense was causing havoc from the start of the game as they forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter. Niagara scored nine points off turnovers. Niagara had six steals in the first quarter as Hartley had two to open the game. Angel Paker, Destiny Strother, Amelia Strong, and Marlie Dickerson all had a steal.

Second Quarter

The Purple Eagles outscored the Griffs 21-19 in the second quarter as they extended their lead heading into halftime. Both Hartley and Aa. Parker had four points in the quarter while Strother and Lore Porter each had three points. Niagara forced eight turnovers in the second quarter while having four steals. Strother was credited with two steals while An. Parker and Porter both had a steal. Niagara also tallied a pair of blocks in the quarter. Saige Glover and An. Parker both had a block in the frame. Niagara built its lead to 20 with 4:25 remaining in the quarter which was the largest lead of the half for the Purple Eagles.

At the half

Niagara led 38-26 after the first half with the Purple Eagles forcing 18 turnovers and converting them into 16 points. Hartley and Aa. Parker both had nine points while 10 different Purple Eagles scored in the first quarter. Niagara led for all but 47 seconds of the game after opening the scoring 47 seconds into the game. Niagara hit five threes in the first half with Aa. Parker, An. Parker, Strother, Porter, and Hartley all hit a three. Niagara had 14 boards in the first half, Glover had a team high five rebounds.

Third Quarter

The Purple and White blew the game open in the third quarter as they outscored Canisius 24-11 in the fame. Strother had a team high six points as she hit a pair of threes. Glover, Aa. Parker, and An. Parker all had four points as Niagara shot 9-17 from the field. Niagara forced 12 turnovers in the quarter while having seven steals. An. Parker had five steals in the quarter while Aa. Parker and Porter both had a steal. Niagara had 12 points off turnovers while also scoring 12 points in the paint. Niagara once again had two blocks in the quarter as Porter and Ary Hicks both had a block in the quarter. Niagara used their speed in the quarter as they scored 11 points on the fastbreak. They limited Canisius to just 4-12 shooting and no fast break points.

Fourth Quarter

Niagara closed out the game in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Griffs 22-13 in the fourth. Glover scored four points to lead Niagara in her final quarter at the Gallagher Center, she also pulled down four rebounds. An. Parker, Strother, Porter, and Fiddler all had three points in the quarter. Niagara shot 7-16 from the field while going 3-5 from three. Niagara forced just five turnovers in the quarter and scored 10 points. With Glover on the floor in the fourth quarter Niagara +11. Despite not scoring a point, Niagara was +8 when Kylie Buckley was on the court.

Niagara Notes

·       Niagara finishes the season as the second seed for the second straight season. It is the second time in program history that Niagara has finished second in the MAAC. The 15 MAAC wins is the second most in program history.

·       Niagara is now 6-0 against Canisius over the last three seasons.

·       Four Purple Eagles finished with double digit points, Aa. Parker led the way with 13 points while An. Parker, Strother, and Hartley all had 12 points.

·       Niagara forced 35 turnovers while having 20 steals. It is the fifth time this season that Niagara has tallied 20 or more steals. They are 5-0 in those games.

·       The Purple Eagles finish the season with an 11-3 record at home. It is the most wins at the Gallagher Center in program history.

·       The Purple Eagles scored 38 points off turnovers. Niagara is averaging 25.9 points off turnovers per game.

·       12 Purple Eagles scored against Canisius.

·       Niagara had five blocks in the game which is tied for the season high.

·       The Purple Eagles close the regular season with a turnover margin of 7.97 which is the best in the MAAC.

·       Niagara also finishes the regular season with 458 steals which leads the MAAC and their 15.27 steals per game is tops in the country.

Up Next

The Purple Eagles now travel to Atlantic City, N.J. for the MAAC Championships. Niagara will play the winner of No. 7 Quinnipiac and No. 10 Saint Peter's on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM.

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