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Canisius University Athletics

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Maria Welch is shown shooting a free throw in game action at the University at Buffalo’s Alumni Arena
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Junior Maria Welch
60
Niagara NIAW 8-14, 5-6 MAAC
64
Winner Canisius CAN 7-15, 5-6 MAAC
Niagara NIAW
8-14, 5-6 MAAC
60
Final
64
Canisius CAN
7-15, 5-6 MAAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 OT 1 F
Niagara NIAW 15 14 9 20 2 60
Canisius CAN 8 14 19 17 6 64

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women's Basketball Beats Niagara in Overtime, 64-60

Despite a last-second desperation three-pointer by Niagara's Kaylee Stroemple that forced overtime, the Canisius women's basketball team defeated the Purple Eagles, 64-60 at the Koessler Athletic Center on Thursday. With the win Canisius improved to 7-15 overall and 5-6 in conference action while Niagara dropped to 8-14 overall and 5-6 in conference.
 
It appeared Niagara was well on its way to its first win over the Griffs since the 2016 MAAC Tournament, as the team opened up the game on a 24-8 lead with 5:59 left in the second quarter, but Canisius bounced back, going on a 33-14 run from that point on, taking a 41-38 lead into the final stanza.
 
In the fourth quarter, Maria Welch put the Blue and Gold on top by six points with a layup with 2:15 left but Stroemple, with two seconds remaining on the clock at the end of regulation, launched a 3-pointer with Griffs' defenders in her face, to send the game to extra time, 58-58.
 
Both teams kept the offenses in check but free throws were the weapon of choice as the Griffs hit six free throws in the final period to advance past the Purple Eagles.
 
Welch continued her trend of strong play against Niagara, notching a season-high 22 points in the win. The junior was 5-of-12 from beyond the arc and added three rebounds, two assists, three blocks and three steals to a loaded stat line.
 
Sara Hinriksdottir tallied a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Danielle Sanderlin recorded 12 points in the win.
 
For Niagara, Victoria Rampado, despite leading the team with 20 points, was challenged all game long, hitting 7-of-24 from the field. Stroemple and Jai Moore also reached double-digits with 11 points and Jamie Sherburne tallied 10.
 
THOUGHTS FROM COACH ZEH
"It was an ugly start for us," head coach Terry Zeh said. "We were really tight, very tense, but then we relaxed and started making some shots. I thought we got really gritty defensively. Rampado had a lot of points but it was on a lot of shots. We made her really really work. She was tired because we made her work defensively."
 
"I'm just trying to get through each practice and each day, and try and find what we can teach our young players that will help them in the next game, but I'm glad we were able to grind this win out."
 
GAME NOTES
• With the win Canisius is now 57-35 all-time against Niagara.
• The Blue and Gold extended its win streak in the series to four with the victory.
• With the win Thursday night, Canisius now leads Niagara 13-3 in the 2017-18 Battle of the Bridge series.
• Welch came into the contest averaging 14 points against Niagara, with her career-high of 25 coming at the MAAC Tournament last season.
• Hinriksdottir recorded her third career double-double with her 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
Canisius concludes its homestand on Monday, Feb. 5 as the team hosts Saint Peter's. Game time is set for 7 p.m., and the contest will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
 
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