WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Purple Eagles women’s basketball team fell to Monmouth, 68-62, in its regular season finale on Sunday.
The Purple Eagles and the Hawks kept things close in the first quarter. Two threes from Morgan Baughman left Niagara trailing narrowly, 16-11, going into the second quarter. Rampado dominated the second quarter for the Purple Eagles, scoring eight of NU’s 15 points, including four points from Stroemple and another three from Baughman. Monmouth, however, led 37-26 going into halftime. The Purple Eagles began to make a push for the lead in the third quarter behind 12 points from Rampado, but Monmouth held onto its lead and was ahead, 51-43, going into the final quarter of play. Tiffany Corselli sank a three to open the fourth quarter and bring Niagara within five points of the lead, 51-46. A three from Rampado continued to keep the Purple Eagles within five points of the Hawks, 65-60, with a little over 15 seconds remaining to play, but Monmouth held tight to its lead and came away with the victory.
Rampado led the Purple Eagles with 27 points, tying her career-high. This is the 13th game this season in which she has scored 20 or more points. Stroemple added 18 points and had a team-high nine rebounds. Stroemple has scored 15 or more points in 12 games this season. Rampado, Baughman and Maggie McIntyre brought down five rebounds each. McIntyre tied her career-high.
Corselli led the team in steals with three and Jamie Sherburne had a team-high three assists.
The Purple Eagles, who have secured the ninth seed, will play next on Thursday against the eighth seed in the first round of the MAAC Tournament at the Times Union Center in Albany.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
