Women's Basketball 2/3/2010 8:00:00 PM Canisius College Athletics

Offensive and Rebounding Struggles Lead to Women's Hoops Loss at Niagara

LEWISTON, N.Y. – The Canisius College women's basketball team made two field goals in the first 17 minutes of the second half and allowed 19 second-chance points in the final 20 minutes to fall 52-49 at Niagara in the Gallagher Center on Wednesday. The Golden Griffins drop to 9-12 overall and 4-6 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Senior Brittané Russell led all players with 16 points – including eight in the final three minutes. Senior Tasia Lee and freshman Ashley Durham each scored seven points while senior Ellie Radke had seven rebounds and a team-high five assists.

“Niagara played harder than us today and deserved to win. That especially showed up on the offensive rebounds and second-chance points,” Canisius coach Terry Zeh said. “Both teams didn't shoot the ball well, but give credit to Niagara for making enough big shots down the stretch.”

The Canisius defense held Niagara to 20 first-half points, including five field goals during the final 15 minutes of the first half. After Jaclyn Konieczka split two free throws to put Niagara ahead 8-7, Canisius built a 21-14 lead during the next 10-plus minutes. That run was capped by a hook shot from junior Caitlin Krull and 3-pointer on the win from Lee.

Niagara (8-13, 5-5 MAAC) scored the first seven points of the second half to tie the game on a layup from Rachele Folino just two and a half minutes after halftime. The Purple Eagles pushed their lead to as many as eight points at 40-32 after a layup from Ali Morris.

Senior Brianna Lucas scored the first Canisius field goal of the second half – a 3-pointer with 9:38 remaining. Radke followed with a 3-pointer two minutes later to make the score 40-38. Niagara pushed its lead back to seven points at 48-41 on a 3-pointer from Liz Flooks.

The Griffs then made a final run as Russell hit a jumper and junior Micayla Drysdale converted a 3-point play to cut the lead to 48-46 with 1:21 remaining. The teams traded miss field goals and Kayla Stroman hit a 17-foot jumper to put Niagara ahead 50-46 with 18.2 seconds left. Russell hit a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left to make it a one-point game, but the Griffs weren't able to get another shot.

Three Niagara players reached double figures, led by 11 points from Stroman who also had six rebounds and four assists. Flooks had 10 points and five rebounds while Folino had 10 points and seven rebounds. Morris aadded nine points, six rebounds and six assists with zero turnovers.

Canisius returns home or two games in the Koessler Athletic Center this weekend. The Golden Griffins host Loyola at 4 p.m. on Saturday, which is also the celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Notes: Canisius extended its NCAA record of consecutive games with a 3-pointer to 475 games on a 3-pointer by Russell in the first half… Niagara won the rebounding battle 46-38, with 23 offensive rebounds, the second straight MAAC road game where Canisius has allowed 23 offensive rebounds... Niagara earns two points in the all-sports Battle of the Bridge competition between the schools and now holds a 10-6 lead on the athletic season… Canisius falls for the third time in the last four years in the Gallagher Center… Canisius lost for the first time in five Kid's Day games… Canisius had 21 bench points in the game, with 17 of those points coming in the first half… Radke has 10 assists in her last two games.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Micayla Drysdale: G; 5' 9"; Junior

#22 Ashley Durham: G; 5' 5"; Freshman

#24 Caitlin Krull: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#3 Tasia Lee: G; 5' 8"; Senior

#13 Brianna Lucas: G; 5' 8"; Senior

#35 Ellie Radke: F; 6' 0"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#23 Micayla Drysdale
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

#22 Ashley Durham
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: G

#24 Caitlin Krull
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#3 Tasia Lee
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

#13 Brianna Lucas
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

#35 Ellie Radke
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F