Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Canisius University Athletics

#Griffs The Official Home of the Canisius University Golden Griffins | #Griffs
Canisius bench celebrates a three pointer from mary copple at the Gallagher Center in Lewiston, N.Y.
Sam Hughes
57
Winner Canisius Canis 3-13,1-6 MAAC
41
Niagara Niag 0-16,0-7 MAAC
Winner
Canisius Canis
3-13,1-6 MAAC
57
Final
41
Niagara Niag
0-16,0-7 MAAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Canisius Canis 11 13 18 15 57
Niagara Niag 11 16 11 3 41

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women's Basketball Surges Late to Win over Rival Niagara

Four Golden Griffins scored in double figures to push Canisius to a 57-41 win over rival Niagara in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women's basketball action Wednesday evening at the Gallagher Center in Lewiston, N.Y.

The win snapped a six-game losing skid for Canisius, who improved to 3-13 overall and 1-6 in conference play. Niagara remained winless on the season, falling to 0-16 overall and 0-7 in league action with the loss.

Junior Mary Copple and sophomore Irene Rey Pineda tallied 11 points each to pace the Griffs attack. Junior Shariah Gailes and sophomore Corniya Clay both chipped in 10 points apiece to round out the quartet of Canisius players to reach double digits. Gailes also pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds as the the Griffs enjoyed a 48-33 advantage on the glass.

Niagara's Caliana Fenceroy led the charge for the host Purple Eagles, scoring a team-high 11 points. Niagara struggled at the free throw line, converting just 28.6% (4-for-14) of its attempts at the stripe and were held to shooting at a 27.9% clip (17-for-61) from the field, including a 18.8% (3-for-16) performance from three-point land.

With the game level at 36-36 with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter, Canisius claimed the contest with a 21-5 run that lasted until the final buzzer. Within that stretch, the Griffs held Niagara to just three points in the fourth quarter.

The two sides played to an 11-11 tie during the opening stanza and were destined to go onto the locker rooms knotted at 24-24 until Niagara's Talia Dial drained a three-pointer in the waning seconds of the first half, giving the Purple Eagles a 27-24 advantage at the intermission.

Canisius opened the third quarter of play with a 9-0 run that forced a timeout from the Niagara side. Out of the break, Niagara battled back to level the contest at 36-36, setting up the closing stretch for the Blue and Gold that solidified the win.

GAME NOTES
• Wednesday's contest marked the 106th all-time meeting between the two rival programs. Canisius leads the series with a 62-44 record and has won two consecutive meetings.
• The Griffs out-rebounded Niagara, 48-33, marking the second time this season that the Griffs have recorded 45-or-more rebounds in a contest. 
• Canisius had four players record double-digit points for the first time this season.
• Gailes posted her first double-double of the season and eighth of her career.
• Niagara's three points marks the lowest opponent point total in a quarter this season.
• Copple's 11-point performance marked the second time this season that she has scored in double figures.
• Gailes' 16 rebounds was the highest single-game total from a Canisius player since Sisi Elko grabbed 17 boards on Jan. 25, 2024.

UP NEXT
Canisius travels to Mount St. Mary's Saturday for a MAAC matinee. Tip off between the Griffs and the Mount is slated for 1 p.m. at Knott Arena in Emmittsburg, Md. 
 
Tickets for all Canisius home women's basketball games, are available to be purchased online by CLICKING HERE. Tickets can also be purchased by phone by calling (716) 888-TIXX or in person at the Canisius ticket office, located in the Koessler Athletic Center lobby, during normal business hours and 90 minutes before tip-off on game day.

Like Canisius Athletics on Facebook
Follow @GoGriffs and @GriffsWBB on X
Follow @GoGriffs and @GriffsWBB on Instagram
Print Friendly Version