Niagara University — The Niagara women’s basketball team welcomed the Manhattan Jaspers to the Gallagher Center on Thursday night. Niagara fell to the Jaspers 64-53.
First Quarter
Manhattan shot over 60% from the field along with 4-5 shooting from three in the first quarter as they took a 23-14 lead in the first quarter. Amelia Strong was the leading scorer in the first quarter for Niagara as she had six points with a pair of field goals and a pair of free throws. Niagara forced five turnovers in the first quarter with three steals, Aaliyah Parker had two steals while Angel Parker had the other. Angel had four points while Marlie Dickerson added two points. Niagara pulled down eight rebounds in the first quarter with three being offensive and five defensive. Aaliyah had a team high two boards in the quarter. Niagara scored eight of their 14 points in the paint in the quarter.
Second Quarter
Niagara chipped into the Manhattan lead in the second quarter as they outscored the Jaspers 11-8 in the quarter. Both Alliyah and Strong had four points in the quarter as Chardonnay Hartley had three points thanks to three free throws at the end of the quarter. Niagara forced seven turnovers in the quarter with Angel and Shelby Fiddle each having a steal. Niagara once again had eight points in the paint. Strong, Hartley, Angel, Destiny Strother, and Kylie Buckley all recorded a rebound in the quarter.
At the half
Niagara trailed 31-25 at halftime as Strong was the leading scorer for the Purple Eagles with 10 points. Niagara forced 12 turnovers in the half with both Angel and Aaliyah both had two steals with Fiddler having one steal as well. Niagara had 16 points in the paint along with 10 points off turnovers.
Third Quarter
Manhattan built their lead by four in the quarter as they outscored Niagara 14-10. Aaliyah had a team high four points in the quarter while Strother and Buckley each had two points while Strong and Hartley had one point. Niagara outrebounded the Jaspers 11-8 in the quarter while Strother had three rebounds.
Fourth Quarter
The Purple Eagles scored 18 points in the fourth quarter with Aaliyah having 10 of the 18 points. Niagara forced six turnovers in the fourth quarter and scored eight points off the six turnovers. Aaliyah also had two blocks in the quarter. Niagara pulled down 10 boards in the quarter while Aaliyah had four of them. Angel had four points in the quarter while Strong and Buckley each had two points.
Niagara Notes
· Aaliyah had a season high 20 points which led Niagara scorers and was tied for the game high. She also pulled down a team high seven boards. It is her 13th career 20+ point game in her three year career. She is now just 25 points away from 1,000 career points.
· Niagara forced 22 turnovers along with seven steals. Niagara is averaging 24.8 forced turnovers per game.
· Niagara had 30 points in the paint for the third consecutive game. The Purple Eagles are averaging 29.3 points per game in the paint.
· The Purple Eagles had 20 points of turnovers; they are averaging 21.3 points off turnovers per game.
· Niagara made 15 free throws; they have made 15+ free throws in five games this season.
· The Purple Eagles pulled down 36 boards, they have had 35+ rebounds in seven games this season.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles return to the Gallagher Center on Saturday to take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats for the first time this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 PM.
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