NIAGARA UNIV. — Forward Kaylee Stroemple scored a career-high 26 points in Niagara’s tough loss to the top-ranked team in the MAAC, Quinnipiac, on Thursday.
The Purple Eagles got off to a quick start, going on a 7-0 run through the first two minutes of action. Niagara would continue their efficiency on offense, ending the quarter 7-for-10 from the field and 6-for-7 from the charity stripe to lead 21-11 going into the second quarter.
Quinnipiac went on an 8-1 run to start the second, but the Purple Eagles bounced back quickly. Morgan Baughman drained two threes in back-to-back possessions to end the half, to put the score at 34-26 in Niagara’s favor at the break. Stroemple and Baughman combined for 25 of Niagara’s 34 first half points.
Both teams stayed consisted in the third quarter, exchanging field goals throughout, with NU holding the lead by seven, 50-43, going into the final quarter, with a score of 50-43.
An intense fourth quarter emerged between the two teams, as the game went from zero tied scores and lead changes, to five tied scores and seven lead changes.
Niagara continued to fight as the Bobcats went on a run to start the fourth. With a little under four minutes to play, Quinnipiac’s Paula Strautmane converted a tough layup, giving the Bobcats their first lead of the day, 55-54. Stroemple answered with a finish of her own at the rim to regain the lead for Niagara, 56-55.
With just about two minutes left to play, and the Bobcats ahead 60-58, the Purple Eagles capitalized on both ends of the floors; a Tiffany Corselli layup followed by a Victoria Rampado rebound and pair of free throws gave NU the lead once again, 62-60.
The Purple Eagles next host the Marist Red Foxes on Saturday at 3 p.m before heading back out on the road to face Iona on Jan. 13 and Manhattan on Jan. 15.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT