North Andover, MA — Kenedie Haruna poured in a team-high 13 points as Niagara fell 60-44 at Merrimack on Saturday afternoon at Lawler Arena in North Andover, MA.

Kenedie Haruna ignited Niagara right out of the gate, knocking down a 3-pointer on the Purple Eagles' first possession to give them an immediate 3-0 lead. Talia Dial followed with a 3-pointer of her own moments later.

Chasity Wilson finished with 11 points and dished out five assists to pace the offense, while Dial added eight points. Tyasia Freeman was a force on the glass, pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds with six on the defensive end while also contributing six points and a pair of blocks.

Niagara's calling card on Saturday was its tenacity on the defensive end. The Purple Eagles forced 33 Merrimack turnovers and converted those miscues into 15 points, repeatedly disrupting the Warriors' offensive rhythm. Jordyn Williams led a stingy effort with five steals of her own, and Jade Rutledge applied relentless pressure as she recorded five steals of her own.

Niagara refused to fade quietly in the fourth quarter. After Merrimack stretched its lead, Dial drained a corner 3-pointer to trim the deficit to 51-39 with just over seven minutes remaining. The Purple and White then closed the game on a spirited 4-0 run in the final 30 seconds capped by back-to-back fast-break layups from Haruna, the first set up by a Haruna steal and the second by a Freeman steal but eventually fell 60-44.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara goes to 0-3 all time following Saturday's contest
• Haruna made her first start of the season
• Dial started and played in all 29 games for the Purple Eagles
• Haruna broke a career-best in steals with five
• Wilson tied a career-best in assists with five
• The Purple Eagles recorded 19 steals just one off their season high of 20 steals against Buffalo on Dec. 3, 2025